Tuesday´s amendment has not addressed the demand even though NFDN had been carrying out protest programs in the capital since four days to stress for the cause.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday, NFDN have felt quite excluded as "the amendment to the constitution on Ashwin 1, 7070, which has made the provision of having 601 CA members, has not addressed any issues of the persons with disabilities." [break]
“NFDN strongly requests the government of Nepal, all political parties and their sister organizations to allocate at least 2 % representation to persons with disabilities in the new CA as per the total population of persons with disabilities reiterated by latest census. We also request amendment to elections directives/ordinances if required, but don´t leave persons with disabilities behind from this historical opportunity to develop inclusive society,” says the statement.
It adds that though the population of disabled people in Nepal as reported by census 2011 is about 2 percent, the World Health Organization (WHO) has clearly mentioned that over 10 percent people live with physical or mental or both disability in any given community.
It further informs that it is also preparing to submit a memorandum to the General Secretary of the United Nations requesting to promote the rights of persons with disabilities during the UN High Level Meeting on Disability and Development being conducted in September 23, 2013 in New York.
Responding about the issue, Sudarshan Subedi, president of NFDN said the reason why the voice of the disabled is often neglected is because they do not resort to violence to press for their demand like others do.
“We protest in peaceful manner. We do not resort to violence. Even if want to use force, how can we do that since many of us need support even to reach to the street?” said Subedi. “And that is why, our voice simply does not reach anyone,” he added.
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