CAMEROON: Gov’t accused of neglecting disabled persons

The director of Sight Savers Cameroon, an organisation concerned with the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, has accused the government of failing to provide the necessary facilities needed to help disabled persons integrate fully into the society.

By Yemti Harry Ndienla

While lamenting that even the government still considered disabled persons as second class citizens,the director, Joseph Enyegue Oye regretted that disabled persons here were still being discriminated against. Adding that the society was not being adapted to meet the needs of this category of persons. Enyegue Oye said persons with disabilities, like other persons in the society, have the right to full and effective participation and inclusion in the society, healthcare, education, security, employment, equal opportunity, etc, and must not be subjected to any form of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, discriminated against or considered as objects of charity. He emphasised that persons with disabilities should be allowed the chance to freely participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport. The director encourage the administrative authorities to allow persons with disabilities to partake effectively and fully in political and public life on equal basis with others, directly or through freely chosen representatives, including the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected.