The Council to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities

Posted by Yafaau's Dad on Aug 17, 2010 in Council on Disability, disAbility Rights, News |

Last month, the “Disabilities Act”(Bill 8/2010, hereafter referred to as “disAbility Bill”) got ratified by President Nasheed. This disAbility Bill was a direct result of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability or CRPD. One of the things that CRPD urge ratified countries is to pass legislature supporting rights of PWDs. It also made it compulsory for the state to form a “Committee on Rights of People with Disabilities”(CRPD: Article 34, Clause 1). So the disAbility Bill which got ratified on 9th July 2010 consisted a “Council to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities”(<–Person first Language not used there!, hereafter referred as “the Council”) and has representations from;

1. President’s candidate
2. Ministry of Health and Family
3. A Doctor from Maldives Medical Association
4. A Psychiatrist
5. A Non-governmental organization
6. A Person with a disability
7. A Parent of a PWD

Yesterday, President Mohamed Nasheed established “the Council to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities” [16 August 2010 | Ref #: 2010-619 EN] – [ Ref #: 2010-619 DV]

This very first “Council to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities” in Maldives, in my personal opinion is a very capable team and consisted of experienced members in the field of disability in Maldives. They are;

1. Mr Ahmed Athif (EDC)
2. Ms Zimna Thaufeeq (Health)
3. Dr Yoosuf Shan
4. Dr Fathimath Nashida
5. Ms Shidhatha Shareef(CARE Society)
6. Mr Hamid Nasheed Mohamed (Person wt a disAbility)
7. Mr Hassan Nizam (Parent of a PWD, ADD)

I hope that the Council, at the time of entry into force, knows their responsibilities (disAbility Bill: Article 12 [a] to [m]) and shall serve their best in their personal capacity to benefit all PWD’s. I personally know almost everyone on the council and I would like to assure everyone that as an individual, I am happy to help in anyway I can.

I would also like to Congratulate all the members on getting appointed.

Update: 30 August 2010

Council President and Vice President appointed among its members. Mr. Ahmed Athif was elected as the President and Mr. Hassan Nizam as Vice President.

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