The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) announced its intention on Monday to organize the 2nd National Forum for Human Rights on September 12-13, 2023, under the theme of Human rights of persons with disabilities, protection, and empowerment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Family.In a statement, NHRC outlined that the forum aims to provide a national dialogue platform to share knowledge, expertise, capacity building, review legislation, policies, plans and programs pertinent to the rights of persons with disabilities in Qatar, in addition to integrating them in the community like the rest of various community individuals and segments.During a meeting with members of the higher organizing committee of the Forum, HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah affirmed that the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar confirms the protection of rights of persons with disabilities from human rights perspective, as Qatar was one of the first countries to engage in the negotiations that led to the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 and ratified it in the same year and was an active and vital partner in the founding stage of the agreement, she said.Her Excellency recalled the international commendation for Qatar national vision in protecting persons with disabilities, along with the adoption of Qatar National Autism Plan, harmonizing its legislation that regulates the rights of persons with disabilities with the provisions of the international convention, in addition to its enduring efforts in enabling them to have a good education.HE Chairperson of NHRC added that Qatar has compelled the state institutions to allocate a percentage not less than %2 of jobs to persons with disabilities, as the state's strategic plans for development have adopted a program to integrate persons with disabilities in the sustainable development process in a way that ensures engagement of all in work, production to enjoy an independent and dignified life.Her Excellency pointed out that such efforts produced good outcomes in improving the situation of persons with disabilities and protecting their rights until Qatar has been described as one of the best disabled friendly countries in all fields, especially infrastructure, transportation grid and accessible cities for persons with disabilities that have been constructed during the past decade.HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah pointed out that during the past years, the State of Qatar has taken a set of measures prohibiting discrimination based on disability, as well as incorporating the facilitation arrangements as a key driver for protecting persons with disabilities, affirming that government and semi-government institutions, universities and civil society organizations concerned with disability have performed a critical role in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities and empowering them to live independently, integrating them in the community, optimizing their life opportunities, taking advantage of best experiences and practices regionally and internationally and following up on the latest developments and trends with respect to the disability issue.Within the framework of universal efforts concerning the protection of persons with disabilities, HE Chairperson of the NHRC recalled the Doha International Conference on Disability and Development 2019 hosted by the State of Qatar which issued the Doha Declaration to promote rights of persons with disabilities worldwide and provided a referential framework to integrate disabled people in development plans and ensure their rights in education, health, employment policies and other fields.Her Excellency pointed out that, although 15 years have passed since the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities went into effect with 186 member states, however, a closer look at many legislations, policies and practices in many state parties, based on the remarks and recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, indicates that there are multiple challenges and hurdles that are still hampering the full operation of the convention mostly because of the domination of the traditional medical, charitable and emotional system in dealing with disability issue.She emphasised that this promptly precipitates the periodical and systematic review of the reality of protecting the rights of persons with disabilities to further evaluate such a reality from human rights perspective and activate the respect, protection and implementation of their rights and enable them to live in a community that accepts them and able to overcome the traditional stereotypical view that isolates them and hampers their free and independent integration, akin to other individuals on an equal basis without discrimination on the basis of disability.
August 22, 2023 | 09:43 AM