On November 2, 2023 in the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held a round table dedicated to the improvement of legislation in the field of protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, organized by the Institute of Parliamentarism under the UDP RK together with the deputies of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In his opening speech, the Director of the Institute of Parliamentarism under the UDP RK Kanatbek Safinov noted that the Institute is involved in the development of five bills initiated by the parliamentary group "Inclusive Parliament" and aimed at protecting the rights and supporting people with special needs.
"Legislation should be dynamic. As society changes and new needs and challenges are identified, laws must be reviewed and updated to remain relevant and effective. On the road to a truly inclusive society, legislating for the rights of persons with disabilities must be a priority at the state level."
The round table was attended by members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, experts in the field of protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, representatives of non-governmental organizations, lawyers.
The round table was addressed by the deputy of the Senate Lyazzat Kaltaeva, deputies of the Majilis Kenzhegul Seytzhan, Tansaule Serikov, Azhar Sagyndykova. On behalf of the non-governmental sector, the Chairman of the Board of the OYL Eurasian Association for the Development of Inclusive Society Vyacheslav Pak, Chairman of the NGO "Podranki" Galiya Tobataeva and others shared their vision of the problem.
The participants of the roundtable discussed topical issues of eliminating discrimination against persons with disabilities and ensuring their right to work, health care, education, full participation in society, access to justice, personal inviolability, freedom from exploitation, freedom of movement, individual mobility
Note that since 2015 Kazakhstan has been a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and in 2017 the Initial Report on measures taken by the Republic of Kazakhstan to implement this Convention was submitted to the UN Committee.
On June 7, 2023 the Head of State signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", the main objectives of which are to ensure accessibility of objects and services in priority spheres of life of persons with disabilities and other low-mobility groups, to improve the mechanism for providing services in the field of rehabilitation, to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to live and integrate into society.
Based on the results of the round table, recommendations and proposals will be developed to improve the legal framework and system of measures to protect the rights and create an inclusive environment for persons with disabilities, which will be sent to Parliament.
