Armenpress: Eight political forces sign inclusive policy commitment ahead of A

A meeting involving political forces nominated for Armenia’s parliamentary elections, civil society organisations and persons with disabilities was held in Yerevan on May 22, resulting in the signing of a commitment document on inclusive policies.

The event was organised by the Agate Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities NGO with the aim of promoting the inclusion of the rights of persons with disabilities in political agendas and election programmes.

 According to the Agate Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities, Armenia currently has 153,129 registered persons with disabilities, the majority of whom have the right to vote. However, their issues are scarcely reflected in the programmes of political forces participating in the parliamentary elections. Ensuring inclusiveness in political processes is viewed as one of the key prerequisites for democracy.

 Ahead of the meeting, the Agate NGO identified urgent issues requiring solutions for persons with disabilities and developed a package of recommendations, which was joined by 26 civil society organisations, international partners and individuals, underlining the need for joint efforts. The package was sent to all political forces participating in the parliamentary elections.

During the event, the main provisions and priorities of the commitment document were presented, covering inclusive education, the healthcare system, issues related to the recognition of incapacity, employment and the prevention of violence, particularly among women with intellectual disabilities and forcibly displaced women with disabilities. Political forces participating in the elections were also given the opportunity to present the provisions in their election programmes concerning solutions to issues faced by persons with disabilities. 

Karine Grigoryan, founder and president of the Agate Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities NGO, expressed concern that the problems and needs of Armenia’s largest minority group are barely reflected in the agendas of political forces.

 “Very often, persons with disabilities, especially those with mental health issues, are targeted by political forces, and their social vulnerability is also exploited for political purposes. Our goal is for voters with disabilities to be able to exercise their electoral rights, for their voices to be heard, and for programmes and decisions concerning them to be developed in consultation with persons with disabilities so that the decisions are targeted and substantive. We hope that after this meeting, parties and alliances will draw conclusions and change their approaches, while we, as organisations led by persons with disabilities, will remain more vigilant and continue our work to ensure that persons with disabilities do not become victims of disinformation and make informed choices,” Karine Grigoryan said.

The initiative was joined by the Civil Contract party, the Reformists Party, the Armenian Meritocratic Party, the Wings of Unity Party, the National Democratic Pole Alliance, the Armenian National Congress, the Democracy, Law and Order Party and the Bright Armenia Party. 

Armenia’s next parliamentary elections will be held on June 7. The election campaign officially began on May 8 and will continue until June 5. A total of 19 political forces – including two alliances and 17 parties – have been nominated to participate in the elections.