Morocco: Draft law fails to ensure disability rights

A proposed law on disability rights in Morocco conflicts with the country's obligations under an international treaty, Human Rights Watch has said in a letter to the Moroccan parliament.

The human rights organisation called on political leaders to amend the law to ensure the full realisation of the rights of people with disabilities.

"People with disabilities in Morocco have been treated as objects of charity rather than as equal citizens, leading to stigma and discrimination," said Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

People with disabilities in Morocco have been treated as objects of charity rather than as equal citizens.  - Eric Goldstein,  HRW

"This draft law gives the government an opportunity to begin to change this perception and make Morocco a regional leader on disability rights, but it needs to be fully grounded in human rights standards."

Draft law 97.13 on the protection and advancement of persons with disabilities is currently before parliament.

It is the first piece of legislation being considered that addresses the rights of people with disabilities since Morocco ratified the international treaty on disability rights in 2009.

HRW carried out consultations in Morocco with disability rights organisations, people with disabilities and their families and government officials.

It concluded that the draft law fails to guarantee the full rights of those with disabilities, including the right to education, and "perpetuates out-dated notions about disability".

The US-based organisation called for amendments to the law, including "ensuring inclusive education for all children with disabilities in mainstream schools" and "eliminating provisions that would deprive people with disabilities of legal capacity".

"The draft law currently before parliament fails to live up to the standards that Morocco pledged to uphold when it ratified the treaty," Goldstein said.

"Lawmakers have a chance to rectify this situation by amending the draft law and putting the rights of people with disabilities at the forefront."