06 Jul 2014

Violation of rights of people with disabilities is a rampant issue because there is lack of adequate understanding of acts of rights violation in persons living with disabilities (PLWDs,) says the executive director of Thuso Rehabilitation Centre (TRC), Mr Moses Kandovazu.

Addressing members of the media on Thursday July 3, Mr Kandovazu said the country has not yet signed the Convection on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and access to justice by PWDs is a far reached phenomenon because currently legal systems have gaps in according justice to PWDs.

The centre has got a grant from the European Union under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) component.

With the advocacy component that the EIDHR project falls under, Mr Kandovazu said in the project they are going to implement activities titled ‘Silent Voices of the Voiceless promotion of people with disabilities (minority) rights integration and access to justice’.

“In this project we are going to stimulate the silent voices of those with disabilities to become audible,” he said.


He added that the project will explore how and how advocates of and for PLWDs continue to speak against violation of PLWDs’ rights and their failure to access justice.

He said the project will also enhance the ability of Botswana citizens with disabilities in Ngami and Chobe districts to fully participate in public life, to increase the knowledge and awareness of PLWDs to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities.

Also Mr Kandovazu said the project will strengthen the ability of PLWDs to participate in the democratic decision-making processes at community, district and national level.

He said the above activities will be achieved by engaging in participating activities that include research, community education and capacity building.

He stated that the activities will also contribute to human rights persons with disabilities in Botswana because the entire range of human rights (civil, political, economic, social and cultural), some which are recognised by the constitution must be exercised and guaranteed to people with disabilities.

“There are times when there is implicit social acceptance of violation of rights of PLWDs in the community and widespread reluctance to publicly discuss the issue,” he said.

TRC is a non-government organisation with a mission of committing to improving the lives of people with disabilities through empowerment of people with disabilities, their family members and community at large for an active involvement in disability movement and prevention.

The organisation is operating in the North West region of Botswana and was established in 1988 in Maun. ENDS