Algeria: Jasour – News Desk
Atika Maamri, President of the Algerian Federation for Persons with Disabilities, expressed her great optimism about the recent ministerial reshuffle carried out by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, which affected the National Solidarity sector. She stated, “The special needs group requires a review of many of its pending cases,” emphasizing her reliance on the new minister to alleviate the suffering of the disabled, particularly regarding the Disability Law, which did not consider the federation’s proposals.
In her statement to “Al-Massa” on the eve of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated on December 3 each year, Maamri explained that the draft law that was reviewed is not a new law but a recommendation from the United Nations to Algeria after Algeria ratified the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Therefore, it was necessary to adapt the Disability Law according to the international convention to comply with its provisions and view the special needs group from a rights-based perspective to promote and meet their needs. She noted that the federation had previously submitted proposals after being invited by the Health Committee in Parliament.
Maamri clarified, “However, nothing has changed in the 2012 Disability Law, and the submitted proposals were not considered, the first of which was not changing the name, which remained ‘Protection and Promotion of Persons with Special Needs.’ Referring to the constitution, we find that the term ‘special needs’ is unclear, which is one of the files awaiting review by the new minister, who has proven effective in the culture sector.”
Furthermore, Maamri pointed out that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had committed during his second term to protecting persons with special needs, which is what all disabled individuals are waiting for, especially since they still suffer from various problems, the first of which is accessibility, which remains the biggest challenge. She added, “Therefore, we do not expect anything from the sessions on the draft Disability Law, as they did not consider the proposals submitted by the federation and other associations.”
According to Maamri, a law that does not reflect the needs of persons with disabilities does not solve their problems. She added, “For this reason, we expect the new minister to bring a different perspective capable of making a qualitative leap in the sector at all levels.”
She announced, “On this occasion, I am preparing to hold a meeting with the Minister of National Solidarity, along with some associations affiliated with the federation from civil society, to discuss some pending files that need to be reconsidered, such as establishing a committee to develop an emergency plan to adapt all public reception facilities to avoid marginalizing the disabled.”
Maamri explained, “All structures must be adapted, which is one of the sustainable development goals by 2030.” She also pointed to the “financial aid file for centers caring for more than 7,000 children, which created 600 jobs,” stressing that they need financial resources for care and management. In addition to the employment file, which is another pending issue, she said that the disabled need specialists employed by the Ministry of National Solidarity to provide support services to this group, easing the burden on families who care for the disabled alone, regardless of their disability.
According to Maamri, the federation includes 82 associations operating under its umbrella, distributed across the country’s provinces, all of which have opened centers to care for children with disabilities. Although they support and accompany the state’s efforts in caring for this group, they work alone in the field without financial support.
