The Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF) has called for the establishment of a National Commission to ensure the rights of thousands of persons with disabilities living in Sri Lanka.
Issuing a statement, the organization said it has decided to give its full support to the proposed constitutional reform process.
“We firmly believe that this constitutional reform will be the golden but final attempt to create a systematic and accountable policy as well as a meaningful political culture,” the organization said.
Full statement:
Although Sri Lanka is lagging behind in the face of the current social and political crisis, it is only through timely and appropriate political reforms that the country can achieve the glory it has previously experienced. The Disability Organizations Joint Front has decided to give its full support to the proposed constitutional reform process. We firmly believe that this constitutional reform will be the golden but final attempt to create a systematic and accountable polity as well as a meaningful political culture. Therefore, we have a responsibility to ensure the dignity of every citizen living in this country and to create a civilized country through a new constitution. Undoubtedly, the most appropriate interim approach until that responsibility is fulfilled is to introduce a system of government with unwavering confidence and discretion in the Supreme legislature.
We emphasize that in any political reform effort for the future betterment of this country, the community of persons with a disability of just over 1.6 million should not be underestimated or marginalized and their rights which have not yet been properly recognized should be properly protected.
We are also confident that this is a great opportunity to further enhance the reputation of Sri Lanka in the face of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other local and international commitments ratified by Sri Lanka.
At present, the electoral representation of the disabled Sri Lankan community is close to 1.2 million. The aspiration of each of them is to rise as an independent citizen. But so far no regime in this country has considered it its inalienable responsibility to uplift the living standards or protect the fundamental rights of these people.
Its living factor is the physical and mental stress that women, who make up about 57% of people with disabilities, face the daily burden of living. About 71% of the members of the community with disabilities are now living in extreme poverty, unable to make a living. The idea of the policymakers who have joined the policymakers in this country so far is that the only way to serve the historically neglected community is to provide some financial or physical support through a compassionate and tradition-based charity model. But the majority of thousands of members of the community with disabilities have a different idea. That is, the only way to resolve their hitherto unresolved issues is to establish a National Commission.
“Nothing about us without us” is the internationally accepted standard for people with disabilities. In Sri Lanka, as well as the Act passed in 1996, a National Policy formulated in 2003 has been introduced to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, there are a number of mechanisms and institutions established within the relevant line ministries. But the real-time experience is that the community of people with disabilities living in this country has reached an unprecedented level. It is common practice in any civilized country to seek legal protection in such a marginalized area. But for the welfare of this community, Sri Lanka has become a country that does not implement the decisions given even by the Supreme Court.
Therefore, as clearly stated above, the only option we can pursue is to set up a National Commission as the disabled community has the capacity as well as the determination to have a mechanism for resolving the inherent problems of the disabled community.
This Commission will pay full attention to the socio-economic and political context in which the rights of all persons with disabilities in this country as well as their livelihood are affected. We also recognize that the establishment of such a National Commission in line with the proposed 21st Amendment to the Constitution is a possibility. We have already discussed its structure and mandate as well as its scope.
Therefore, on behalf of individuals and individuals living with disabilities in this country, we request the political authorities as well as the leaders of political parties in this country to unconditionally support this great change that can be made locally as a country.
It has so far forced the disabled community to live as even if they are statistically large groups of people who do not yet have the rights they deserve. Hence, we, the Advocates for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, strongly believe that all those concerned with the rights of citizens of this country will support this voice, which is collectively raised by the Disabled Community for their strength and human commitment.
The Disability Organizations Joint Front (DOJF) is:
Established in 2001, the Disability Organizations Joint Front is an umbrella organization of 30 organizations of persons with disabilities spread across Sri Lanka. Our primary objective is to work with all stakeholders on policy issues to ensure that the disabled community is provided with a rights-based standard of living without discrimination. (NewsWire)