2020-12-03

West Bank and Gaza

Human Rights Defenders / West Bank / Gaza / Announcement / Core Program / position paper

On the International Day of Disabled Persons: Yes to the Demands of the Persons with Disabilities in Palestine and Yes to Extend Societal Solidarity With them

Today, the world celebrates the International Day of Disabled Persons, which is the day on which the world recognized that persons with disabilities are citizens and an integral part of the societal fabric of any country. Persons with Disabilities have the rights of citizens and they have the duties of citizens, whose basic rights and dignity are entrusted in the social contract document, whatever its name: Declaration of Independence, Basic Law, or Constitution. Our Palestinian people are part of the world and our state has a declaration of independence and a basic law, and it has acceded to all international treaties and conventions that guarantee to citizens, including those with disabilities, the right to life, dignity and a decent life as rights that are inherent to all human beings and not a favor from anyone, and any violation, prejudice or absenteeism thereof, constitutes a crime that does not fall under the statute of limitations and requires accountability in its various administrative, penal and civil forms.

The world celebrates this occasion, and persons with disabilities in Palestine are still deprived of their minimum rights, not only within the accommodation, but also in the right to life, health, education and participation. It is noteworthy that the global celebration coincides with a community movement led by persons with disabilities in Palestine to demand that the State of Palestine fulfill its obligations and acknowledge a comprehensive and fair health insurance system that guarantees people with disabilities and their families the right to health insurance. This is part of a basket of demands that are still awaiting response.

We at MUSAWA- the Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession announce our joining the demands of the movement of people with disabilities. It should have been long time ago to include their rights in the sustainable development plan, restore their human rights and review all procedures and policies that hindered the empowerment of getting their rights, as well as to hold public officials accountable for bearing the responsibility to protect and safeguard these rights. People with Disabilities’ cause is a cause of all people, the nation, and the future.

Yes to the demands of the movement of persons with disabilities in Palestine and yes to the societal solidarity pressuring the government and all relevant bodies to fulfill the rights of people with disabilities so that they can celebrate their day just like their counterparts around the world.

Issued on 3/12/2020

MUSAWA