The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Electrons and Keystone Human Services International Foundation Moldova have launched the charter of commitments and principles that the political parties should assume in the area of disability, IPN reports.
Nicolae Panfil, secretary of the Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Electrons, called on the parties to review their electoral programs and to include provisions of the UN Convention concerning the human rights in them.
Igor Meriacri, chairman of the Association “Motivation”, said that the problem of accessibility to institutions persists in Moldova. “Fines should be imposed on the property owners who pledge to respect the rights of the persons with disabilities, but delay setting up ramps after they sign the document. The same is true about the access to studies. The largest part of those who do not have higher education are persons with disabilities because they do not enjoy equal access, as provided by the law,” he stated.
“Even if there are framework documents, a lot of children with special needs face the same problems. The children with autism are not accepted into education institutions: kindergartens and schools. We want concrete measures in the electoral platforms, which would ensure the equality of rights of all children,” said Lucia Gavrilita, who heads the Day Center “Speranta”.
Mariana Morari, communication coordinator at the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities, said the right to information is a fundamental right that must be ensured equally. “The persons with visual impairments cannot enter the polling booth without being accompanied. The authorities do not take into account the fact that there are persons who need Braille for example,” she stated.
The representatives of the political parties attending the event promised they will take into account the suggestions they heard when they present the electoral programs. “The persons with disabilities are an important social segment. Today they showed it by claiming rights. We will take into account their demands as we agree that everyone must enjoy equal rights, including free access to education and the right to free expression,” said Oleg Chicu, the representative of the Green Ecological Party.
Roman Andries, of the Liberal Party, said that there are few parties that fulfill their electoral promises when they come to power. The given commitments must be assumed by the parties and by the government.
In Moldova there are over 180,000 people with disabilities.
