Arab states urged to change disability laws: Qatar
DOHA , 10 July: Arab countries need to amend disability–related legislation to
ensure that the rights and interests of people with special needs are
protected.
United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Disability H E Sheikha Hessa bint
Khalifa Al Thani emphasised this in her address at a conference in Cairo
probing the media's role in raising public awareness on issues involving
people with special needs.
Sheikha Hessa stressed that persons with disabilities have equal rights
in society and others should endeavour to protect and care for them.
Respect for disability and human rights of all members enriches the
social milieu,she added.
Governments' need to pass legislations and promulgate policies that
fulfill United Nations' standard rules to protect the rights of people
with special needs so that they are assimilated in the main stream of
society. It would be a crime to discriminate the rights of people with
disability.
Some countries already have in force legislations related to disability,
however, success can only be achieved if these policies and legislations
are enforced according to its spirit and intent. Besides legislation,
planning comprehensive programmes for raising public awareness using the
various media has to be effective, Sheikha Hessa said. Media and art
works including films have a crucial role in highlighting the
difficulties faced by people with special needs and promoting their
basic rights, the Special Rapporteur noted.
Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/
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