‘Pass Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill’

Kathmandu, July 30

Persons with disabilities have urged the Parliament, government and political parties to ensure passage of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill.

The bill, which was tabled by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare last year, is still under consideration in the Parliament. A delegation of representatives from various organisations working for the rights of disabled people in Nepal today met Minister for Women, Children and Social Affairs Asha Koirala at her office in Singha Durbar and demanded that the bill be passed without any further delay.

“Persons with disabilities have been deprived of their rights and non-disabled persons are taking advantage of the delay in passage of the bill. The government and political parties have done injustice to us,” they told the minister.

According to them, the bill has already fulfilled all requirements and awaits approval of the Parliament. In response, Minister Koirala said the ministry had accorded high priority to the bill and was committed to doing the needful.

Rights activists also demanded that the ministry set up a help desk for disabled persons and establish Disability Rehabilitation Centre in all provinces.