Kuwait plans to create "watchdog" position to protect the rights of disabled people

From Arab Times:

KUWAIT CITY -- Fawwaz Al-Hasban, chief of the Public Relations and Information Committee of the campaign of Kuwait good environment for disabled, said May 12 the project of disabled watchdog aims to protect the rights of persons with special needs in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states.

In a phone call with KUNA from Doha, Qatar, where he is participating in the Ninth Forum of the Gulf Disability Society, Al-Hasban said he is lobbying for the GCC disabled watchdog project which will serve as a professional non-government non-profit agency.

“The watchdog will detect any violations of the rights of the persons with special needs in the Arabian Gulf region and support their causes,” he pointed out.

“The projected agency will work with regional and international human rights organizations in protecting the rights of disabled persons.

“The Gulf region has no agency which is made up of locals and dedicated to detecting and documenting the violations of the rights of the disabled,” Al-Hasban regretted. The watchdog will shed light on such violations, thus helping the decision-makers correct any mistakes and ensure the welfare and dignity of the disabled persons and their families.

“It will help integrate the disabled persons into their societies and promote the social development in the region,” he went on to say.

Regarding the ongoing forum the Gulf Disability Society, he said it is being held under the slogan of “modern technology for disabled persons — the way forward” in association with Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs. The event is being attended by the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability Sheikha Hessah Bint Khalifa Al-Thani, he noted.

On the sidelines of the event the Gulf Disability Society held its 29th meeting to discuss the restructuring of its committees, Al-Hasban disclosed, adding that he, as representative of Kuwait has been elected uncontested chairman of the information and cultural committee of the regional society.