Date: 25/10/2009

Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) filed a Public Interest Litigation No. 7129of / 2009 against 17 respondents including National Committee for Disabled Persons formed under Section 33 of UNCRPD. The Writ Petition stated the existing condition of the persons with disability highlighting the Disability Welfare Act 2001, different policies and directives especially the one given by the Honorable Prime Minister of the Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh on 19th October 2009. The Rule was issued by Honorable Justice Mr. Syed Mahmud Hossain and Honorable Justice Mr. Quamrul Islam Siddiqui directing the respondents "for taking immediate measures to implement the Statutory Object ensured in the Disabled Welfare Act 2001 and in the light of recent direction as given by the Honorable Prime Minister on 19th October 2009 in the Fifth National Conference for Disabled Person to improve and bring about the rights of the Disabled persons in the light of CEDAW and UNCRPD for the persons with and for the disabilities faced by the persons especially women with disability in their day to day life"

Mrs. Salma Ali, Executive Director filed the Petition on behalf of BNWLA. Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze appeared as lawyer and moved the Writ Petition. Other Lawyers present were Adv. Rebecca Sultana, Adv. Firoza Parvin and Adv. Seema Zahur.

News clippings of the news from The Daily Star

Published On: 2009-10-26

Section: Metropolitan

Rights of Persons With Disabilities Writ filed to implement PM's directives

Staff Correspondent

The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon the government to explain within two weeks why it should not be directed to immediately implement the rules of Disabled Welfare Act 2001 and the prime minister's recent directives for ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.

The HC bench of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui issued the rule following a public interest writ petition filed by Salma Ali on behalf of Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA).

The National Committee for Disabled Persons (NCDP) and 16 government high officials have been made respondents to reply to the rule.

Counsel for BNWLA, Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoze last night told The Daily Star that it was stated in the petition that different laws, policies and directives were made for the welfare of the persons with disabilities, but those were not implemented.

She said the petition mentioned some promises made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inauguration of the 5th National Convention of the Disabled on October 19 that her government would formulate a law to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities and they would also get the opportunity to have their say on it.

The process is underway to introduce quota for them in government services, including civil service, and the government has already introduced quota for this special group for the posts under the 'class four' category, Advocate Fawzia said quoting the PM.

She said the PM announced that information technology-based tele centres would be set up in every union to create jobs for the physically challenged persons.

We have mentioned the statements and directives of the prime minister in the writ petition, Fawzia added.