By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan
An NGO, the Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has urged the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to provide adequate legal protection for persons with disabilities in the state.
The Project Officer, Christiana Njoku, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ibadan during the team’s advocacy visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Justice.
Njoku said that civic space rights was the foundation of inclusive governance, and that without it, persons with disabilities in the society would remain voiceless and vulnerable.
Presenting the brief and CCD request to the Ministry, the Senior Programme Officer, Ms. Florence Attah stated that
“By creating a legal safety net for civic actors with disabilities, the ministry will stand as a true protector of rights and justice in the state.
“We look forward to your positive response and collaboration towards expanding civic space rights for persons with disabilities and rebuilding a more inclusive justice system in the state, she said.
The CCD urged the ministry to create a dedicated legal support system within the ministry to handle civic rights cases of persons with disabilities participating in civic activism.
She further urged the ministry to provide free and fast legal representation when civic actors with disabilities are harassed, attacked or unlawfully detained.
The Programme Officer called for a formal partnership with the Office of the Public Defender in order to prioritise cases involving persons with disabilities.
“There is need to organise training for justice officials on civic rights and disability inclusion, as this will help to drive justice sector policies that protect civic rights of persons with disabilities.
“Civic actors with disabilities face harassments and intimidation, institutional neglect, communication barriers, among others on a daily basis,” she said.
Mrs Oluwabunmi Are, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Justice, said that the state government is committed to protecting the rights and privileges of persons with disabilities.
“We have many of them as desk officers in our offices, the government is already supporting them, and they have a voice in the governance of the state.
“However, we shall look at your requests to see areas we can improve on, we shall endeavour to incorporate them,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the physically challenged, Mr Musa Akinsawe, thanked the state government for the ‘sense of belonging’ accorded them in the scheme of things.
“We are however asking for more support and inclusion in governance and other critical areas,” he said.
Chairman of the deaf cluster, Mr. Yusuff Moruff, appealed with the Ministry to engage sign language interpreters for ease of communication with the deaf.
The CCD Finance and Admin Manager, Mrs Florence Austin commended the Permanent Secretary and reiterated the importance of inclusion and access for PWDs.
Furthermore, she assured the Ministry of continued collaboration in ensuring that PWDs can access justice on an equal basis with other citizens in the State.(NAN)
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