Prime Minister Robert Abela together with the Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli visited the offices of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and closely followed the ongoing work to ensure that Maltese society continues to be inclusive.
Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Samantha Pace Gasan said that in its work, the CRPD is working to eliminate all forms of direct or indirect social discrimination against persons with disabilities and their families, while providing them with the necessary help and support.
She said that the Commission does this through investigations it carries out in situations of alleged discrimination on which it receives complaints.
She mentioned that the CRPD is currently undergoing a process of strengthening the enforcement section so that it can better operate as a regulator to ensure that the rights of people with disabilities are protected, while having more power to prosecute those who do not abide by what is expected of them by law.
Prime Minister Robert Abela greeted all workers and stressed the importance of government bodies, government departments and various agencies setting an example in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities.
“We are showing with concrete facts that this government has the disability sector at its heart, as a few months ago we elevated this field to the level of a Ministry and committed to continue to do more with the aim of no one feels forgotten or deprived of basic rights, ”said the Prime Minister.
The Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli said how, “During this year we will be seeing a number of new projects and services that support people with disabilities and their families, including laws that have been sidelined for many years and forgotten. ” Minister Farrugia Portelli explained how in recent months, thanks to the knowledge made, there has been a substantial increase in cases of knowledge and requests for the CRPD to investigate abuses or irregularities.
