UNICEF – the United Nations
Children’s Fund – has spoken out against discrimination of disabled children in
Swaziland.
It comes after newspaper
and blog
reports of two children aged eight and 16 who have been hidden away for years because
they are severely disabled. It is reported that they might suffer the effects
of polio. Neither can walk nor speak.
‘UNICEF wishes to remind
all of us about our individual and collective legal and moral responsibilities
towards safeguarding the rights and interests of all children, including those
living with disabilities,’ Rachel Odede
UNICEF Swaziland Representative said in a letter to the Times of Swaziland published
on Wednesday (13 July 2016).
The
Times reported on Monday the family of the children, ‘was allegedly given
strict instructions not to ever show the children to anyone or even discuss
their condition in public.
‘It has been alleged by the
head of the family where the two children stay that officials from certain
government offices barred and gave strict instructions not to show the children
to anyone because making their condition known would place the country in bad
light.’
Odede
wrote, ‘The Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland
guarantees equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals, and
specifically mandates an inclusive society for all including Persons with
Disabilities. Section 4 of the Children’s Protection Welfare Act states that no
child shall be discriminated against on the grounds of disability. Section 11
of the same Act states that a child with disability has a right to special
care, medical treatment, rehabilitation, family and personal integrity, sports
and recreation, education and training.’
She added, ‘We do not wish
to see any child being discriminated against on the basis of gender, religion,
race, economic and social status, and particularly disability.
‘UNICEF’s vision is to
build a world in which all children, especially those who are vulnerable, can
grow up healthy, protected from harm and are educated so that they can reach
their full potential.’
‘Article 11 of the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) specifically calls on duty
bearers to take necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of
persons with disabilities in situations of conflict, emergency and disaster,
signifying the importance of the issue.’
She added, ‘Research and
studies tell us that more often than not, children with disabilities are
particularly at higher risk of deprivation and exclusion, often lacking access
to basic services such as education, healthcare as well as water and
sanitation.
‘Their voices are not heard
in society. Disability also places them at higher risk of physical abuse, and
often exclude them from receiving proper nutrition or humanitarian assistance
in emergencies.’
See also
SICK KIDS ‘HIDDEN TO SAVE
SWAZI IMAGE’
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/07/sick-kids-hidden-to-save-swazi-image.html
http://swazimedia.blogspot.com/2016/07/sick-kids-hidden-to-save-swazi-image.html
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