Briefly/Governance & Legislation
Global
Survey of the Political Process & People with Disabilities:The International Foundation for Election
Systems, based in Washington, will survey laws, decisions and practices of
people with disabilities in the political process. With funding from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of Finland, the IFES project will identify ways to support
increased voter registration, candidacies, party leadership and public appointments
for disabled persons.IFES will also organize election observation studies
that evaluate access to registration, information, campaigns and candidacies,
the ballot and appeals mechanisms. Details:
www.spinewire.com/news
South
Africa Re-drafts Anti-Discrimination Law:Up against a constitutional deadline of February 4, South African politicians
worked throughout January to finish fine-tuning the Promotion of Equality
and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Bill. The bill bans discrimination
on the grounds of race, gender, sex, pregnancy, martial status, ethnic or
social origin, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, belief,
culture, language and birth. One point of contention is whether or not people
with HIV/AIDS will be covered.
Australia Amends Human Rights Legislation: In
late September 99 the Australian parliament passed an amendment bill to its
Human Rights legislation, providing for a simplified process for making complaints
and for procedures to have fees waived based on financial hardship.
Lebanon
Considers Plan to Ensure Rights:During a four day regional workshop andInternational Seminar on Environmental
Accessibility in December in Lebanon, Aref Daou of the Social Affairs Ministry
said the ministry was working on a national plan to ensure the rights of disabled
persons. The meetings, sponsored by the UN Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia, brought together about 1000 policymakers, researchers and
activists from throughout the Middle East.
USAID
Supports Rights of Disabled Guatemalans in Democratic Processes:A U.S. Agency for International Development team visited
Guatemala in January to discuss specific development challenges and human
rights concerns of people with disabilities. Janet Allem, coordinator for
disability policy, said the group met with representatives of the Guatemalan
Human Rights Legal Action Center (CALDH) and the National Council for the
Disabled (CONADI). In last year's election, the team ensured the availability
of Braille ballots and provided grants to CALDH and CONNADI to support their
efforts in reforming the law and in developing implementing regulations. CALDI
was founded in 1989 to promote, defend and provide legal assistance and training
on human rights, and it is an advocate for compliance with the 1996 disability
law. Details: www.gaia.info.usaid.gov
or 202 712 4320.
