Thorne backs Disabilities Bill
Yesterday was not the day to be partisan.
And so, Leader of the Opposition Ralph Thorne had no issue in supporting a piece of legislation that made disabled people in Barbados better positioned to be protected, employed and to succeed in society.
Thorne, the MP for Christ Church South, admitted that disabled people in Barbados were “facing a crisis” and he would support any legislation that prevented them being disadvantaged or discriminated against.
He was speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, minutes after Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey tabled the Rights Of Persons With Disabilities Bill, 2024.
“This bill is one of social importance. The country must never forget this very important issue. This is not a political debate,” Thorne said as he rose to his feet. “There is no reason for partisanship. Issues like this must be elevated beyond the corners of partisanship,” he told the Lower House.
Thorne admitted he did not have a deep understanding of what faced the disabled in Barbados, but made sure he did his research and reading while preparing for yesterday’s debate.
He noted that it was important to realise, that due to their physical disabilities, the disabled often faced shorter life expectancy, poorer health and decreased opportunities.
“It’s a crisis that visits the lives of the disabled on a daily basis. We hope this legislation offers protection to disabled persons for many years to come. The Government has done a noble thing to deal with this crisis,” he admitted.
Framework
Thorne said it was important that Barbadians understand the significance of what was being done to better the lives of disabled people in Barbados through the legislation laid yesterday.
The attorney congratulated the social workers and sociologists who had all
played a part in constructing the legislation.
He made special reference to the establishment of a Social Empowerment Agency within the framework of the legislation, since it would act like a prosecutorial department, in weeding out people or entities that might be minded to take advantage of or to disadvantage the disabled in Barbados.
“This will be a very important agency, with many duties. It will be able to act on behalf of disabled people, acting like a virtual complainant in a criminal case,” the King’s Counsel noted.
“I applaud the creation of an agency like this to protect the rights of the disabled.”
He also agreed with the establishment of a tribunal within the powers of the agency, which could meet to determine if disabled people had been wronged, and also the fact that compensation could requested by the tribunal, if it was determined that actions by employers or other entities, had cost disabled people their opportunity to make a living. (BA)
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