CAIRO - In Egypt, people with disabilities face many challenges, humiliation and marginalisation. They persistently seek the Government's positive response to their demands, according to activists. People with disabilities lack equality and justice. “We don't have any civil rights, although there are seven million of us,” stated Riham el-Masry, the chairman of the Seven Million Disabled People Association, which fights for their rights. They hoped the January 25 revolution would change their lives. The previous governments under Mubarak neglected people with disabilities and ignored existing laws. For instance, companies are required by law to provide employment for people with disabilities; they should constitute five per cent of the overall staff. “This law has never been implemented. We should also have access to five per cent of State-owned residential buildings,” said Mohamed Abou Zekri, a human rights activist, who fights for the rights of people with disabilities and introduce facilities and infrastructures that would add dignity to their lives. In 2006, the United Nations (UN) adopted the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. “Modern advanced states care for people with disabilities. We aim at implementing the UN convention,” el-Masry said. The Seven Million Disabled Association's activists also call for a comprehensive educational system that caters for the disabled. They want well-prepared electoral ballots to participate in Egypt's political life. In a bid to gain their voting support, presidential hopefuls have recently met people with disabilities. Mohamed ElBaradei, a potential candidate for Egypt's presidency, has promised the nation's disabled that post-revolution Egypt would implement equality and solidarity. "I have met representatives of Egypt's seven million people with disabilities. I understand and support their rights," ElBaradei wrote on Twitter, promising them a better life. Amr Moussa, former Arab League Secretary General and also a presidential hopeful, focused his efforts on the same demographic group. “I support your demands. Egyptians need development and advancement in many areas, including the care for people with disabilities,” Moussa said at an iftar, a fast-breaking meal in the holy month of Ramadan, organised by the National Front of Disabled and Injured Revolutionaries. Hamdeen Sabahi, another presidential hopeful, suggested the creation of a new ministry, the Ministry of People with Disabilities. The people in question suggest various options. “We would like to create a 'national council' with an independent budget. The council would have branches in all governorates,” said Mohamed el-Husseini, a representative of the National Front. People with disabilities hope to bring more than 13 organisations together into one powerful union. “This union will raise awareness for the disabled people's plight in society and promote improvements.” The Minister of Social Solidarity and Justice, Gouda Abdel-Khaleq, also promised to support them and endorse a new constitution that would preserve their rights.
