NIGERIA: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LEGISLATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002247

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LEGISLATION
GAINS MOMENTUM

Classified By: Political Counselor Walter Pflaumer for reasons 1.4. (b
& d).


1. (U) SUMMARY: The Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and
International Republican Institute (IRI) hosted a workshop on
"Mainstreaming People with Disabilities into Political
Parties" in Abuja on October 30. During the workshop, House
of Representatives Member and Chair of the Human Rights
Committee, Beni Lar (PDP-Plateau State) announced that the
House would conduct a public hearing on the People With
Disabilities (PWD) Bill on November 26 and she was hopeful
the Bill would be signed and moved forward to the President.
House of Representatives Member Farouk Lawan (PDP-Kano State)
called for parity in the treatment of PWD in Nigeria and the
establishment of a National Commission. PDP National
Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor said in his remarks that
the party was committed to facilitating laws aimed at
mainstreaming disability issues and would consider creating a
disability desk at the party National Secretariat. With such
influential people advocating for the PWD Bill, it has a good
chance of becoming law. On November 3, the PDP and IRI
donated 40 wheelchairs, 18 pairs of crutches, and dozens of
Braille books and watches to the Joint National Association
of People With Disabilities (JONAPWD),an umbrella
organization for PWD NGOs. END SUMMARY


2. (U) During an October 30 workshop titled "Mainstreaming
People With Disabilities into Political Parties, Member of
the House of Representatives and Chair of the House Committee
on Human Rights, Beni Lar, announced that on November 26, the
House will hold a public hearing on the People With
Disabilities Bill. Lar added that the Senate might decide to
hold a joint hearing and there was a good chance the bill
would be passed in both chambers that day. If that happens,
she added, the bill would then go to the President for
assent. Lar reported that according to recent estimates by
the United Nations, there were over 19 million Nigerians with
disabilities who deal with stigma and discrimination on a
daily basis. Lar described some of the challenges faced by
PWD, such as lack of ramps in public buildings, lack of
assistance at polling stations and inability to gain
employment. Although section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution
provides a general statement of human rights that includes
PWD, access to those rights are not enforced and PWD remain a
neglected segment of Nigeria's society.


3. (U) Farouk Lawan, House of Representatives Member and
leader of the Integrity Group, called for equality in the
treatment of Nigerians living with disabilities. Lawan
stated that "everyone has challenges" in one form or another,
but that it should not bar or deter anyone from participating
in politics. Lawan added that he would be in support of a
National Commission to address the inequalities and issues
that PWD face. In an effort to help others understand what
it means to be disabled, Lawan shared a plan for the "One Day
of Disability Experience" that will take place at the
National Assembly. According to Lawan, on December 5,
members of the House and Senate have agreed to come to work
either blindfolded, with their ears plugged, or in a
wheelchair to understand the difficulties that PWD experience
on a daily basis.


4. (C) PDP National Chairman Prince Vincent Ogbulafor
delivered a welcome address in which he suggested that his
party would consider creating a disability desk at the PDP
National Secretariat. Ogbulafor stated that the PDP
supported legal policies that would help create equality for
PWD and he urged lawmakers and other political parties to
follow suit. (NOTE: A USAID colleague in attendance noted
that while Ogbulafor delivered his remarks, he had someone
sit next to him and whisper the words of the speech into his
ear. At one point, he apparently stumbled over words and
motioned to his assistant to move closer. It was a strange
occurrence as the room was quite small and it was obvious
what was happening. It was unclear, however, if Ogbulafor
was just having trouble with his glasses, or what the reason
might have been for this strange occurrence. Ogbulafor
himself gave no explanation. END NOTE.)


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5. (U) At a November 3 press conference, the PDP and IRI
presented 40 wheelchairs, 18 pairs of crutches, numerous
writing slates, and dozens of Braille books and watches to
the Joint National Association of People With Disabilities
(JONAPWD),the umbrella organization for several NGOs focused
on the rights of People With Disabilities (PWD). The
giveaway was initially scheduled to take place during the
opening ceremony of the IRI/PDP-sponsored workshop, but the
truck transporting the items broke down en route to the
workshop.


6. (C) COMMENT: Representatives Beni Lar and Farouk Lawan
are active members of the National Assembly and highly
regarded by civil society. With Lar and Lawan advocating for
the bill, and added support from the PDP, Post believes the
PWD Bill has a very good chance of being passed. If the bill
is indeed signed into law, it could pave the way for other
equal opportunity laws that would address gender issues,
child rights, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Post will
attend the November 26 public hearing and report the results
septel. END COMMENT.


7. (C) BIO NOTE: Beni Lar is the daughter of former Plateau
State Governor Solomon Lar and was elected to the House of
Representatives in 2007. Before becoming Chair of the Human
Rights Committee in October, Lar served as Chair of the
Committee for Women's Affairs and Social Development. She is
one of the youngest members of the Nigerian House of
Representatives.


8. (U) This cable coordinated with Consulate Lagos.
Sanders