Human rights activist Samuel Dean has accused the government of Liberia and the management of Guaranty Trust Bank of failing to protect the rights of people living with disabilities (PWDs).
Development Dairies reports that Dean lamented the alleged failure of the government and the bank to provide easy access to loan opportunities for the vulnerable group.
According to him, he and several other PWDs are facing challenging and detrimental situations.
Liberia was among a few pioneer nations that developed a National Action Plan (NAP) to ensure PWDs were fully integrated and participating in various social, economic, and political activities.
However, a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals the country is largely yet to turn these good intentions into tangible actions that benefit PWDs.
Expressing his concerns during a press conference in Monrovia, Dean said there was a time he had to share his personal bank details with strangers because there were no PWD-friendly facilities for him to use at the bank.
An official complaint to the bank resulted in a removable ramp getting installed. However, Dean claimed that the bank received instructions from Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson to remove it, citing revenue generation from parking as the reason.
He said he has also been denied a loan application despite him meeting the requirements needed.
For his case against the government, Dean criticised its failure to enact laws with punitive measures against discrimination or stigmatisation of PWDs.
Development Diaries calls on Liberia’s Independent National Commission on Human Rights to ensure that cases of rights violations against PWDs are thoroughly investigated.
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