Hargeisa – A conference to analyze the obstacles preventing the Somaliland government from implementing the National Disability Commission was held today at the Hargeisa office of the national organization AWVO (Al-kownin Women Voluntary Organization).
Attended by scholars, persons with disabilities, legal experts, and civil society representatives, the meeting focused on the rights of persons with disabilities, the critical importance of establishing the Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the challenges currently faced by the disabled community.
Following extensive discussion, participants recommended consulting the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF). The goal is to reinstate the legislative proposal for establishing the disability rights committee, a draft law reportedly abolished recently by the Ministry. This effort is proposed in collaboration with the Somaliland Disabled People’s Federation (SNDF).
The conference further proposed that if the Ministry refuses to revive the draft law, the following constitutional steps should be taken:
- Submitting a petition signed by 5,000 citizens to the Somaliland House of Representatives.
- Convincing 11 members of the House to formally submit the draft law for establishing the committee, enabling its formulation and implementation.
Experts at the conference emphasized that “ensuring the rights of people with disabilities depends on the establishment of a committee dedicated to their protection.”
To conclude, the meeting decided to appoint a follow-up committee of ten scholars to monitor progress on the agreed actions.
