BSKDN's Acting Head for Politics, Law, and Governance Gatot Tri Laksono stated here on Monday that his side will monitor the realization of equal participation for all Indonesian citizens.
"We put a spotlight on the people with disabilities in the election stages that had been going on. Maybe their number is not significant, but this election is important to be appreciated by all parties in regards to human and civil rights," Laksono emphasized.
Based on Norms and Regulations Standards (SNP) No. 12 concerning Human Rights and Vulnerable Groups in Elections published by the National Commission on Human Rights Indonesia (Komnas HAM), there are 19 vulnerable groups in the election implementation, one of which is people with disabilities.
Disabled people groups comprise individuals with sensory disabilities, physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and mental disabilities.
Laksono explained that people with disabilities are vulnerable to discrimination and stigma in society. They also have difficult access to electoral rights, such as rights to receive information and rights to participate.
The unavailability of disability-friendly election instruments also makes them more vulnerable, he stated.
"Disabled people's voting rights and rights of participation are accommodated, but how about the implementation? This needs to be explored further," he stressed.
Meanwhile, an expert at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Moch. Nurhasim, stated that the government had taken various concrete steps to ensure that the basic rights of people with disabilities in the 2024 elections are fulfilled properly.
One of the efforts is to provide a companion for disabled people at the polling stations.
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Translator: Narda S, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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