DILI, 09 june 2022 (TATOLI) – Core Group Transparency (CGT) called on the government of Timor-Leste to design the 2023 General State Budget that is inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive growth in the country.
CGT, together with the Raes Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO), Timor-Leste Disability Association, (ADTL), and Oxfam made the call after meeting President Horta at the Presidential Palace, in Dili, on thursday.
“We are all here to request President Horta to discuss with the government to design the 2023 General State Budget that is more inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities,” Sabino Fitun, the Coordinator of the CGT told reporters after meeting President Horta.
He said people with disabilities had been excluded from national development across a number of sectors, including Education, Health, Justice, and Public Infrastructure: “We want a more inclusive and accessible budget.”
“During the meeting, President Horta appreciated our points of view which he considered important to leave no one behind,” he stressed.
At the meeting, President Horta also promised to raise the issue facing children and mothers and people with disabilities in the country, at the Timor-Leste Development Partners Meeting (TLDPM), which will take place at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), on friday (10/06).
CGT also called on the National Parliament to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
“The Council of Ministers had approved a resolution on the ratification of the CRPD. Therefore, we want the Parliament to ratify the convention to better protect the rights of the people with disabilities in the country,” he said.
At the same place, the Director of the Association for Women with Disability in Timor-Leste, Madalena da Costa also urged the President to discuss with the National Parliament to draft various special laws relating to women and girls.
“Violence against women and girls is still common in the country, and therefore serious laws are needed to protect these women and girls, especially those with disabilities,” she emphasized.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
