MPR presses for stronger protection for persons with disabilities
This was said following findings of the alleged confinement of nearly 20,000 persons with mental disabilities in several social care institutions, revealed by the Indonesian Mental Health Association (PJS).
“The fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities in all aspects of community life must be carried out with full commitment, since both the law and the Constitution mandate it,” she said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.
According to her, these alleged cases of violence must be immediately addressed with concrete steps by relevant parties, including the central government, regional governments, and managers of social institutions.
Moerdijat emphasized that protecting persons with disabilities is not merely a moral responsibility but a constitutional mandate, noting that acts of violence against them are a violation of human values and must not be allowed to persist.
To this end, she urged stakeholders to build an effective protection system to prevent violence and ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are fulfilled, including the right to care, rehabilitation, and a decent life.
In addition to supervising social institutions, the MPR deputy speaker also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the community to create a safe and inclusive ecosystem.
She expressed her hope that cross-sector synergy can be bolstered to prevent such cases from occurring again, while at the same time ensuring that service standards at social care institutions align with human rights principles.
She assessed that the protection of persons with disabilities must be part of an inclusive and fair human resources development agenda.
“The state must remain consistent in its commitment to protecting and fulfilling the rights of all citizens, including persons with disabilities, with the support of all parties,” Moerdijat stressed.
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Translator: Devi Nindy, Raka Adji