New law on the rights of persons with disabilities in Tajikistan: prohibition of discrimination, inclusion, and social guarantees
Tajikistan’s lawmakers have adopted the Law «On Ensuring the Rights and Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities.» According to the document, people with disabilities will now receive a number of new benefits and guarantees. Some guarantees are retained from the previous law.
The bill was presented to members of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Habibullo Muhiddin on May 6. He, in particular, noted that the new law significantly differs from the existing one, and about 60–65% of its norms are new.
The main goal of adopting the law is to align the country’s legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Tajikistan ratified in 2020.
According to the official, the law «On Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities,» in effect since 2010, was largely based on the medical and social model of disability and was mainly aimed at providing social benefits, concessions, and services.
The new approach, according to him, aligns with the provisions of the UN Convention, which considers people with disabilities as holders of all human rights on an equal basis with other citizens.
Prohibition of discriminationOne of the key norms of the law is the prohibition of discrimination based on disability. Discrimination against people with disabilities has remained a serious issue in society for many years.
Now the state is obliged to take measures to eliminate discrimination, develop special programs, identify and investigate cases of discrimination, exploitation, violence, and humiliation against people with disabilities.
Additionally, the state is obliged to prevent discrimination in matters of marriage, family, motherhood, fatherhood, and personal relationships.
The existence of such problems has been publicly stated repeatedly in the past. In particular, the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan also acknowledged the presence of such cases and provided specific examples at a press conference in February.
Right to education and workOne of the most important norms of the new law is the right to education. The education system must ensure inclusive education for people with disabilities at all levels of education and in additional educational programs.
The bill states that for people with disabilities requiring special learning and upbringing conditions, boarding schools, lyceums, colleges, and special vocational institutions will be established.
The bill was presented to members of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) by the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Habibullo Muhiddin on May 6. He, in particular, noted that the new law significantly differs from the existing one, and about 60–65% of its norms are new.
The main goal of adopting the law is to align the country’s legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Tajikistan ratified in 2020.
According to the official, the law «On Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities,» in effect since 2010, was largely based on the medical and social model of disability and was mainly aimed at providing social benefits, concessions, and services.
The new approach, according to him, aligns with the provisions of the UN Convention, which considers people with disabilities as holders of all human rights on an equal basis with other citizens.
Prohibition of discriminationOne of the key norms of the law is the prohibition of discrimination based on disability. Discrimination against people with disabilities has remained a serious issue in society for many years.
Now the state is obliged to take measures to eliminate discrimination, develop special programs, identify and investigate cases of discrimination, exploitation, violence, and humiliation against people with disabilities.
Additionally, the state is obliged to prevent discrimination in matters of marriage, family, motherhood, fatherhood, and personal relationships.
The existence of such problems has been publicly stated repeatedly in the past. In particular, the Human Rights Ombudsman in Tajikistan also acknowledged the presence of such cases and provided specific examples at a press conference in February.
Right to education and workOne of the most important norms of the new law is the right to education. The education system must ensure inclusive education for people with disabilities at all levels of education and in additional educational programs.
The bill states that for people with disabilities requiring special learning and upbringing conditions, boarding schools, lyceums, colleges, and special vocational institutions will be established.
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