Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sarah Jane Lebrasse
Published on 2024-03-28 11:00:04
Kalpana Koonjoo-Shah, Minister of Gender Equality, stated that the opposition leader ran out of arguments on this bill. Instead of saying “this government lacks the will,” the fact that the bill is being debated in Parliament demonstrates, according to her, the government’s commitment to the rights of disabled persons. “Xavier-Luc Duval has no excuse, as he was in a position to come forward with appropriate measures in the past, but nothing was done,” she said, pointing out that the opposition leader was a member of successive Navin Ramgoolam governments and was Deputy Prime Minister. “Where were these good feelings that he displays today for those who have been marginalized all this time? He wants us to believe that now he would do better than us,” she wondered.
The minister emphasized that through this bill, the government proves that it is acting in the interest of everyone. “We are definitely heading towards the right direction.” She reiterated the respect and dignity granted to disabled persons. “If he had rolled up his sleeves and planted the seeds of this bill, we wouldn’t be here today. They wasted a lot of time. They forgot what they were mandated for when they were in power,” she said, addressing Xavier-Luc Duval.
Commenting on disability pension, she mentioned a dignified amount for differently abled persons. She also stated that this bill is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. “This law will go hand in hand with other laws,” she said. Kalpana Koonjoo-Shah continued by mentioning the facilities, especially in terms of transportation, that exist today. Additionally, she highlighted that “the pension has continued to increase over the years thanks to the government led by the MSM.” She emphasized that this increase is “welcome for all individuals suffering from a disability.” She also stressed the importance of inclusivity, allowing every individual to access all opportunities and fully exploit their potential. She also discussed the fight against violence and the rehabilitation of victims of all forms of violence.
Reza Uteem (opposition MMM) welcomed the provisions of the bill in terms of abusive treatment but expressed disappointment as he found some provisions unacceptable. He questioned why certain articles of the Constitution were not being amended to prevent discrimination based on disability. He also pointed out other shortcomings in the bill, such as the lack of obligations for private and government sectors to make buildings more accessible to disabled persons.
Francisco François, Parliamentary Private Secretary, praised the bill and highlighted the government’s continued commitment to ensuring equality and inclusion for disabled persons. He emphasized the importance of social justice, human dignity, and changing negative attitudes towards individuals with disabilities. He also addressed the need for representation of disabled persons in various positions and the importance of access to healthcare for everyone in the population.
Arianne Navarre-Marie (opposition MMM) expressed that while the bill has good intentions, it does not go far enough to meet the expectations of disabled persons. She highlighted shortcomings in access to infrastructure and the lack of provisions for facilities in buildings for disabled persons. She also raised concerns about accessibility in various public spaces and the need for legal amendments to address these issues.
In conclusion, the discussions in Parliament focused on the importance of advancing the rights and inclusion of disabled persons, addressing discriminatory practices, and ensuring that all individuals have equal opportunities to participate in society. The various perspectives presented highlight the complexity of addressing the needs of disabled persons and the importance of inclusive policies and legislation.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
