Ref: 62/2010

On Thursday, 24 June 2010, the Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights Unit in the Palestinian Center for Human Rights
(PCHR) organized a workshop titled “Promotion of the Rights of Disabled
Persons” in coordination with the National Society for Rehabilitation of
Disabled Persons-Rafah branch. The
workshop was held in Rafah Club’s hall, where 24 participants of disability in
Rafah attended.

Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit, welcomed the participants. Mr. Shaheen indicated that the workshop is
part of the coordination effort between PCHR and institutions for the
rehabilitation of Palestinian persons with disability in the Gaza Strip as well
as part of PCHR’s efforts concerning all issues related to disabled persons in
the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Shaheen also gave a presentation
entitled “Towards Promoting the Rights of Disabled Persons in the Gaza
Strip,”  in which he explained that
promoting the rights of the persons with disability can be achieved by raising
awareness of their rights. He also
discussed the legal aspect of the rights of persons with disability in
Palestine and highlighted the rights mentioned in Law (4) of the Rights of
Disabled Palestinians, including economic, social and cultural rights. Mr. Shaheen called upon the concerned bodies
to stop the deterioration of the conditions for persons with disability in the
Gaza Strip through enforcing the relevant law. Particularly, Mr. Shaheen
argued, Mr. Shaheen stressed the importance of the declaration on issuing the
cards signifying disability, which include the basic services offered to all of
those with disability.

The participants expressed their
disappointment with the deterioration of their economic and social conditions
and the absence of the enforcement of the Palestinian Law. They agreed on the necessity to organize
workshops to raise awareness of Palestinians with disability and their families
as a starting point for the implementation of a comprehensive campaign to call
for their rights.

In the conclusion of the workshop,
discussion was held and Mr. Shaheen answered the questions of the
participants. The following are the main
recommendations of the workshop:

· To ensure that persons with disability enjoy their economic
and social rights, including the need for treating them equally as members of
society, regardless of their disability; and

· To form groups to organize institutional pressure and
support, working through rehabilitation
organizations for persons with disability, relevant NGOs, and popular figures
in the Gaza Strip, in order to exert pressure on the government to enforce the
Palestinian Law.