On Wednesday, the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD), organized a march in Downtown Beirut towards the Grand Serail.
The movement titled “Towards an inclusive voting process that respects diversity,” was a call to demand an end to all kinds of disrespect towards “disabled” people during the voting process.
According to the protesters, voting centers in Lebanon are not well equipped to receive physically-challenged voters.
They urged the Lebanese authorities to ensure operating elevators and introduce polling stations in the centers’ courtyards.
“There is a complete schizophrenia in the performance of public authorities: yesterday [Tuesday] they approved an international convention on the rights of persons with disabilities,” said Nizar Saghieh, a lawyer at the Legal Agenda.
“On the other hand, they do not establish any consideration for their right to vote with dignity,” he added.
According to a U.K. study in 2018, 10-15% of Lebanese residents have a disability, adding that in Lebanon, there is a direct relation between disability and poverty.
The study found that there is a lack of resources and services for people with disabilities in Lebanon.
“As a result, persons with disabilities experience widespread discrimination, marginalization, exclusion, and violence, at the hands of a range of State and non-State institutions and individuals, in the home and outside. This applies to all areas of their lives,” the study stated.
