Do you know your rights?

Human rights legislation is important. Each time I watch a video about disability issues in Uganda I notice that people are addressing human rights violations. Do you know your rights as a Persons With Disability (PWD)? 

Uganda has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs 2006. This means that PWDs are entitled to certain rights. This piece of legislation guarantees some fundamental rights to PWDs. This means that the law should support disabled people getting their rights. I have made a summary of the convention so that you can better understand your rights.

The convention details the rights of disabled people in several areas. Articles 4 to 8 detail the overarching ideas that everyone is equal and should not suffer discrimination regardless of their disability. Women, girls and children should have equal rights. This means that PWDs should have access to education, law, health  and other public facilities as a right. The convention also says that countries must raise awareness of the rights, capabilities and contribution of PWDs.

The convention states that:

• Article 9: PWDs have the right to access all aspects of society on an equal basis. That includes public transport and facilities and services provided to the public.
• Article 10: PWDs have the right to life.
• Article 11: PWDs have the right to protection and safety in situations of risk such as armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.
• Article 12: PWDs have the right to equal treatment before the law and should be supported in accessing their legal rights. 
• Article 13: PWDs should have equal access to justice including adequate accommodation.
• Article 14: PWDs have the right to liberty and security, being disabled cannot justify taking away of liberty.
• Article 15: PWDs have the right to NOT be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment or punishment.
• Article 16: PWDs have the right to NOT be exploited and should be protected from all forms of violence inside or outside the home.
• Article 17: PWDs have the right to respect for their physical and mental integrity.
• Article 18: PWDs have the right to a nationality and disabled children the right to a name and care from their parents.
• Article 19: PWDs have the right to live independently and should be supported in the choice of where they live.
• Article 20: PWDs have the right to personal mobility and should have access to mobility aids and assistive devices.
• Article 21: PWDs have the right to express themselves freely, this includes access to sign language interpreters and braille.
• Article 22: PWDs have the right to privacy including personal information and information about their health.
• Article 23: PWDs have the right to make a family where they want.
• Article 24: PWDs have the right to education. They should be able to access education.
• Article 25: PWDs have the right to access health without discrimination.
• Article 26: PWDs have the right to maximum participation in all aspects of life.
• Article 27: PWDs have the right to employment in an accessible environment.
• Article 28: PWDs have the right to an adequate standard of living this includes water, clothing and housing.
• Article 29: PWDs have the right to participate in public and political affairs as well as vote and be elected.
• Article 30: PWDs have the right to take part in cultural and sporting events, including access to recreation, leisure and sporting activities.

Finally article 31 says that governments should collect information so that the barriers to the effective implementation of the convention can be better understood and applied to make the convention real.

The rest of the report, articles 32-50, explains how countries are bound by the convention and how they must demonstrate they are putting the convention into effect.

The understanding of this convention is important. Everyone should know their rights so that they can live with dignity and respect. Everyone has the right to be treated equally.