UN Special Rapporteur reviews Jordan’s legal, medical advancements for persons with disabilities

AMMAN — Jordan has taken “advanced steps” to protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, and enhancing their participation in various aspects of life, head of the Lower House Legal Committee Abdulmunim Oudat said on Tuesday.

During a meeting with the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities Gerard Quinn, Oudat said that His Majesty King Abdullah’s participation in the Norway-hosted second Global Disability Summit earlier this year is a clear sign of the political will in Jordan to improve conditions for people with disabilities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The lawmaker noted that the Kingdom is among the first countries in the region to create protections for persons with disabilities and take steps to eliminate all forms of ableist discrimination.

He commended the leading role of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in policymaking, planning, coordination, follow-up and supporting all activities aimed at serving this population and providing resources to them.

Quinn said that his several-day visit to the Kingdom is centred on reviewing the laws, policies and practices related to protecting persons with disabilities as well as the level of conformity between the national laws and the relevant international agreements. 

Also on Tuesday, Quinn visited the National Centre for Rehabilitative Medicine and the audiology department at Al Bashir Hospital to check on the level of services offered to patients.