Major amendments proposed to Law on Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities

State Minister for Health Ahmed Athif has announced that the government is prioritizing the drafting of several key amendments to the Act on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Speaking on a state media program, Athif noted that the Disability Act, enacted in 2010 to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, has not undergone any legislative amendments to date. Athif further stated that efforts are currently underway to review and revise the existing law.

Athif stated that the challenges currently faced are different from those encountered in 2007 and 2008, when the bill to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and provide them with financial assistance was first drafted. He noted that the original framework of the bill presented obstacles in service delivery, as certain provisions were drafted with insufficient detail.

While existing provisions regarding rights to education and healthcare are written in very general terms, the new legislation will clearly define the specific responsibilities of individual sectors and agencies. The law will also establish the specific models to be used for empowerment, alongside frameworks for enhancing employment opportunities and financial independence for those concerned.

Ahmed Athif

Furthermore, Athif stated that the legislation currently being amended will provide detailed outlines of the responsibilities mandated for the health and social sectors. He also noted that the revised law will include provisions for financial assistance in cases where individuals are unable to work, along with other key issues that were not prioritized in the previous version of the Act.

Athif further stated that this law will accelerate the delivery of services provided to persons with disabilities.

The Law on the Protection of Rights and Provision of Financial Assistance to Persons with Disabilities was ratified by then-President Mohamed Nasheed on June 22, 2010.

This Act establishes the principles and standards for ensuring that persons with disabilities are granted all fundamental rights and freedoms without discrimination, in accordance with Articles 17 and 35(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. It further mandates the protection of these rights, the formulation of relevant government policies, the provision of equal opportunities, and the delivery of the specialized protection and financial assistance required by persons with disabilities.