MoU a step closer to accommodating the needs of people with disabilities

13 March 2014, Jogjakarta: The Komisi Yudisial and SIGAB (Indonesian Forum for Disability Integration and Advocacy) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to help the Indonesian court system accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. 

Head of the Judical Commission, Dr Suparman Marzuki said the MoU would ensure access to justice and help the legal system produce legislation and decisions that are fair for all groups and individuals.

After signing the 3 year MoU, SIGAB presented their research findings at the workshop attended by over 100 participants including judges, prosecutors, police and disabled persons organisations.

SIGAB’s research shows that far more is required than replacing stairs with ramps and making buildings physically accessible. Current procedures need to change to allow equal participation of people with disabilities. “We talked to groups throughout Indonesia and found instances where the courts did not accept testimonies from blind  people because they could not ‘witness’ the incident, or did not accept evidence via sign interpreters,” said Mr Yulianto, head of SIGAB.

“Indonesia has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, which includes equal access to justice, but after two years no changes have been made to the legal system.” 

“The MoU will help us disseminate our research findings throughout the legal community, and to look at the obstacles to equal participation of people with disabilities. Together with the Komisi Yudicial we will monitor the court system with the goal of making it more sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities, and grant them equal access to justice,” he added.

The research conducted was one of SIGAB's activities in strengthening its core mandate under the Civil Society Organisation Strengthening Program.