By BintaJaiteh
The National Assembly members have adopted the report of standing order on human rights and constitutional matters on person with disabilities Bill 2020, aimed to protect person with disabilities.
Speaking during the session, Honorable Suwaibou Touray, who chaired the committee said they have both General and specific observation regarding the bill.
“The general observation includes since the committee observed the bill complement section (31) of the 1997 constitution which reads “Disabled person shall be entitled to protection against exploitation, discrimination and as regard to health services. The right of the disabled and handicap should be recognized by the state,” he said.
“They should promote right and abilities talents of person with disabilities to enhance the level of awareness. The sensitization should be based on through initiating and maintaining effective public awareness,” he added.
Honorable Saikouba Jarju, member said based on the conclusion of the report it seems that the Minister of Justice is not consulted to help them in drafting principal.
He said although the bill is in due period but the bill should pass through procedures and the owner of the bill are not consulted.
“Most of the bills are brought by the executive, we should be mindful and not allow be seen as tools by the executives. As they want to have good name. We should ask whether they really meant to implement this bill and if the required materials to introduce them are available. Since 2017, so many bills have been presented but the faiths of those bills are not known,” he said.
He stressed that they should not serve as a tool to the executive they should ask if they are going to implement the law.
Honorable Ousman Sillah , said: “ although efforts have been made but the report fails to go by requirements in the standing order (69), adding “It seems that the committee decides without involving the stakeholders as the evidence should come from the witness dealing with the report section by section.”
He however added that “in the report some sections have been jumped, it is fundamental to involve the stakeholders. (Because) the bill had taken too long to be presented and is dealing with an important segment of the society that is the person with disabilities.”