The Israeli occupation is blamed for the suffering of all facets of Palestinian society, including those with disabilities, according to Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour.
Mansour said in a speech at the 16th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP16) in New York that while Palestine should make every effort to uphold its obligations under the CRPD, it is imperative to keep making the case for both international protection of the Palestinian people and the end of the Israeli military occupation.
He claimed that the Israeli occupation continues to be the main factor contributing to the suffering of the entire Palestinian people, including people with disabilities (PWD).
He also emphasized the efforts being made by the Palestinian Authority to protect the rights of people with disabilities in the occupied territories, particularly in terms of helping them while Israel is still attacking them.
Mansour went on to describe Palestine’s plan for achieving its goal of amplifying the voices of PWD, stating that Palestinian officials have passed several laws and put in place plans to combat prejudice and marginalization of people with disabilities in both the public and private spheres, including the fields of education, health, and employment.
The top Palestinian diplomat emphasized that the Palestinian Authority, which is based in Ramallah, has taken steps to make it easier for PWD to be included in public education, higher education, and vocational training.
In order to empower PWD economically, protect them from potential harm, and assist them in achieving economic independence, Palestine offers support to PWD, particularly to women, children, and their families.
Mansour continued by saying that numerous initiatives have been carried out by the Palestinian government to educate the public about the CRPD’s provisions and uphold the rights of people with disabilities as essential components of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Palestinian representative emphasized that many Palestinian youths and children have become disabled as a result of attacks by Israeli forces and armed settlers, in addition to the Tel Aviv regime’s widespread and systematic application of excessive force as part of a shoot-to-kill policy. She also noted that Palestinians continue to endure Israeli military occupation while their capacity to carry out their plans is limited.
Live ammunition cannot be used on civilians except in extreme circumstances when a life is in danger, according to international law.
When there are clashes or military raids, Israeli soldiers, however, freely shoot live ammunition at Palestinians.
Rights organizations assert that a great number of Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory have disabilities that are both temporary and permanent as a result of the regime’s excessive use of force against them.
