President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared the 17th to the 23rd of July as the 'National Disability Rights Week' in the Philippines [df3af86c]. This declaration is in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). President Marcos Jr. is urging various government departments, agencies, state universities, colleges, government-owned or controlled companies, local governments, non-government groups, and the private sector to observe and participate in the celebration. Proclamations No. 1870 and 361, which previously named the third week of July as National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week, will be amended to align with the goals of the UNCRPD [df3af86c].
The province of Nova Scotia in Canada has submitted its first annual progress report to the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, outlining their efforts to help more people with disabilities [b60ec20e]. The report highlights that the province has identified ninety targets for the next five years and claims to have met or made progress on all of them. One of the key achievements mentioned in the report is the reduction of wait times by over 13% for disability support programs. Additionally, the province has assisted over 140 individuals in transitioning from institutions to community living. To further improve the situation, Nova Scotia has developed a facility closure strategy and a no-new admission policy, which will be implemented on January 1, 2025. The report is part of a five-year plan aimed at achieving a human rights remedy in the province [b60ec20e].
In a related development, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Bermuda has launched a public consultation on disability and inclusion [e0e38011]. The consultation aims to understand the experiences of people with disabilities and the barriers they face in Bermuda. The HRC is inviting people with disabilities, members of the public, and other stakeholders to complete an electronic survey. The survey will help the Commission inform policy recommendations to the government and improve accountability and compliance. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, July 5 at 5:00 pm. Disability has been one of the most frequently identified grounds of discrimination received by the Commission since 2018. The survey can be completed online or in person at the Office of the Commission [e0e38011].
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has declared July 15 to 19, 2024, as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week nationwide in Ghana [381c111f]. The ADR week is the second of the three series observed thrice yearly, apart from March and November. A press release signed by Alex Nartey, National Coordinator of ADR, stated that a total of 138 Courts, comprising 35 Circuit Courts and 103 District Courts, shall participate by devoting the entire week to the settlement of court cases with ADR across the country. The theme for the week is “Building the Pillars of Justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).” The ADR week aims to inform the citizenry of the presence of ADR within the court system, its importance in seeking justice, and how to take advantage of such an important process for meaningful access to justice, especially for the poor and the vulnerable. There will be courtroom education on ADR to deepen the knowledge of ADR among the litigating public by Judges, Magistrates, and ADR officials throughout the week. The Bar (lawyers), disputants, the Media, and the public are encouraged to participate fully and cooperate with the Judicial Service to make this Legal Year Term’s ADR Week a success. [381c111f]