By Binta Jaiteh
Magistrate Muhammad Krubally has disclosed that person with disabilities are facing lots of challenges which he felt they are ignored but wants to eradicate such discrimination.
Magistrate Krubally chairman of the Gambia Federation for Disable stated this in his presentation centered on political rights and obstacles person with disabilities face during elections.
Since it is hinge on election, he first made reference to the supreme National document law of The Gambia in section (33) which addresses protection against discrimination.
He said this protection against discrimination applies to the board generally that even person with disabilities are considered as the most vulnerable and should not be discriminated against during the era of election.
Apart from that section (39) of the constitution of the Gambia that enjoins PWD’s just as any other person, he said, having the right to vote and be registered. He further disclosed that PWD’s in as much as they attain the age of maturity that is the universal adult suffrage the rights to vote and to be voted for.
“If we attain 18 years, we should not be discriminated again so therefore we have the rights as well, in a wider contest we should have the right to value for candidature for the position of president the highest office,” Magistrate Krubally added.
Also, “We have the right to contest for the National Assembly elections, councilor elections, mayor, chairmanship positions among others,” he stated.
However, in his view, he said it is all about conceptualizing issues they feel people that have wisdom and well informed should not actually use their disabilities as characteristics that they will use to find them. This should not conceptualize the fact that despite their disabilities it is not an impediment to their success saying “we feel that we should have an equal right as any person to contest for position in the election.”
Political parties that exist in realizing this absolute rights of PWD’s should ensure that they encourage them to be registered in their political parties and again give them opportunity to contest in public activities and politics affiliation.