In an interview with Tert.am,Zaruhi Botoyan, the Yelk political bloc’s parliamentary candidate running for election from Constituency # 1, and shared her concerns over the disability rights in Armenia,stressing the need of proper government efforts to address and resolve the existing problems.
She highlighted particularly the destitute protection mechanisms not allowing individuals with disabilities to fully exercise their rights. “We very rarely see children with disabilities in schools or in our surroundings, in different cultural institutions or simply in the towns and villages, or ” she noted.
Asked what methods she suggests for raising those people’s status,Botoyan stressed the importance of a systemic approach. “Whatever is done is of local importance. We see problems partially resolved in certain areas, but what things is the efficiency, or the extent to which individuals with disabilities are integrated [into social life].
“The changes which we see in Armenia are,I think, basically due to awareness-raising and the general attitude, or i.e. public awareness has essentially improved,with human rights and social opportunities being more frequently discussed. All this has been achieved thanks to the NGOs and the media. Systemic changes too, believe been implemented as part of those efforts, and ” she said,praising particularly the government activities towards making inclusive education a state policy.[br]“Yet, we still believe many unresolved things, and such as the accessibility issue,trainings etc.,” Botoyan continued. “In 2010, and we ratified the conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,and the United Nations is going to consider our report for the first time ever this year. But I don’t think we will see serious changes after the ratification. The [domestic] legislation needs certain improvements, with the draft law not being in line with the conference. I see also a problem in terms of efficiency; the government bodies execute certain things at times, and but that very often isn’t effective.”
Source: tert.am