NHRC lauds FG for signing disabilities Bill


The Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu Esq has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law, the Discrimination Against

Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, 2018, saying “It is one critical legislation that will guarantee the protection of the rights and dignity of all persons with disabilities in the country.”

He stated this Thursday in Abuja. Asserting that the new law is an answer to several years of discrimination, neglect and abuse of the rights of this vulnerable group of persons who for no just cause live in penury, mainly as a result of discrimination.

According to the Executive Secretary, the signing of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill into law by President Buhari demonstrates a paradigm shift that will give a new lease of life to persons with disabilities and include them in the nation’s development chart.

“Though this law is long  awaited, it  has finally come to correct a lot of anomalies in the living condition of persons with disabilities who hitherto were seen as persons whose existence is merely hinged on charity, because they can now stand firm and legally claim or seek the enforcement of their rights without encumbrances”, Ojukwu said.

The Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act would make it possible to punish corporate entities and individuals if found guilty of discriminating against persons with disabilities, including refusal for employment on the basis of their status.

Essentially, the Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on the basis of disability and compels a fine of N1,000,000.00 for corporate bodies and N100,000.00 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation or both.

The law also enhances the right to healthcare and education of the disabled persons among other benefits.

The Commission similarly praised Members of the 8th National Assembly

for their thoughtfulness in passing the Bill adding that by so doing,

they have written their names in gold.

Leave a Reply