Our Rights Campaign

“Our Rights” campaign - National Campaign to establish the political rights of persons with special needs in Lebanon - was implemented by the alliance of the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union and the Youth Association for the Blind in 2005 and ongoing until the implementation of these rights.There is little awareness on the difficulties experienced by persons with special needs in ensuring their participation in the political process.

The right to vote is a fundamental right for all segments of the population that needs to be attained and protected.The civil and political rights of these persons in choosing their representative is a necessary condition for an effective integration of their key issues into public policy on a local and national level. In the year 2000, the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union lobbied the Lebanese government to pass a progressive law for the rights of the disabled dealing with rights like access to health, education and employment featured in the draft.

However, Law 220 continues to not be implemented to this day, thus highlighting the importance of the participation of this vulnerable group in choosing representatives that will push for the implementation of this law.Our Rights Campaign close colloboration with the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities has resulted in many positive results on the ground. On a policy level the Decree that was passed by the Council of Ministers on May 13th 2009 which gave the government the tools to make the voting process for persons with special needs more accessible was one of the campaign's major achievements.
Also, the Ministry of Interior has also pledged to help make some polling stations accessible for the 2009 municipal elections in coordination with the Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union.

Our Rights Campaign hopes to build on the work that was done for this election for future elections.