|
Momodou
Denmark
11734 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Mar 2007 : 02:46:51
|
Foroyaa Editorial
Daily Observer asked what Foroyaa really wants?
THE ANSWER
Foroyaa cannot understand what benefit it is to the government to violate the human rights of its citizens.
Section 1 subsection (2) of the Constitution states that “The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in accordance with the Constitution.”
The fundamental law of the land states that the authority that the government derives from the people should be exercised to promote their welfare and prosperity.
Suffice it to say those living with physical impairment or disability are entitled to the same rights as those who do not have the same physical disability.
Section 31 of the Constitution states that “The right of the disabled to respect and human dignity shall be recognised by the state and society.”
What Foroyaa wants is for the government to recognise that the disabled have a right to respect and human dignity.”
Subsection (2) states that “Disabled persons shall be entitled to protection against exploitation and to protection against discrimination.” Society has neglected the right of elderly disabled persons to education, vocational training and employment when they were young. Now they depend on begging to meet their family needs. Many disabled persons are mothers and fathers who have the obligation to meet the day to day needs of their children. An interview with many of them would reveal that they have relied on begging to feed and educate their children.
What Foroyaa wants is for the government to recognise that in a heavily indebted poor country with most people living on less than a dollar a day, begging is the only way many people make ends meet. Those living with disability can be easily identified. However, there are more beggars in the street than many people think. Since disability is visible this is why those living with disability are being discriminated.
Foroyaa wants this to stop.
It wants people like Rambo, Kanyiba Kanyi, Ngorr Secka, Vincent Jatta, Abdoulie Kujabie, Foday Barry, Omar Ndow, Chief Manneh and others, who are detained for over 72 hours without charge to be released. It wants the government to respect the human rights of all people in The Gambia.
It wants the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare to have a meeting with those living with disability especially organisations like GOVI, NUDY, GAPD and GADHOH to discuss how those living with disability can seek for assistance without being a burden on anyone.
Where there is desire to find a solution there is a way. Foroyaa wants a way forward so that no disabled person will be arrested for begging and assistance provided to save them from poverty.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 025/2007, 2-4 March, 2007
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
