Wednesday, April 14, 2010

We are deeply shocked!
AWDP Bangladesh expresses its deepest shock to the untimely and tragic demise of Mr. George Daniel, 45, on 7 April 2010. George Daniel was the Deputy Chairperson of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) with the responsibilities for Human Rights and Chairperson of DPI North America and the Caribbean (DPI NAC).

George Daniel was a powerful voice for the rights and freedom of people with disabilities around the world and a strong source of inspiration of AWDP members in Bangladesh.

• Daniel was a passionate and outspoken advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities.

• Mr. Daniel’s dedication to equality of ability is perhaps best illustrated when he filed a motion against the judicial arm of the State of Trinidad and Tobago for violating his constitutional right to liberty, when he discovered he could not gain access to the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain in his country.

• George Daniel came into light in the global disability movement when he and his supporters held fast for 116 days for establishing the rights for PWDs.

• Mr. Daniel’s dedication to equality of ability is perhaps best illustrated when he filed a motion against the judicial arm of the State of Trinidad and Tobago for violating his constitutional right to liberty, when he discovered he could not gain access to the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain in his country.

• Daniel recognized that the steps leading into the Hall of Justice preventing him access without having someone else pull his wheelchair up the steps backward, he realized those same steps stopped every person with a disability from fully participating in this arm of government with dignity and autonomy.

• On July 20th, 2007, he won a historic victory for disabled rights, a ruling by High Court Justice Nolan Bereaux, who agreed that the State had indeed violated Mr. Daniel’s right to liberty by not providing him equal access. Mr. Daniel’s refusal to sit quietly at the bottom of the steps was an immeasurable move forward in the struggle for disability rights in the Caribbean.

• Mr. Daniel proudly represented and served for persons as well as persons without disabilities. He believed that the rights of every human should be respected.

We have our same feelings with DPI and DPI NAC that the world has lost a great advocate for rights of persons with disabilities. He has left us with a legacy that proves that the power of one applies to everyone.

AWDP-Bangladesh, on behalf of all its members and supporters expresses its condolence to his family, near and dear ones and pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul. There’s no doubt that people with disabilities and rights activists around the world, will follow him, tomorrow or the day after!

Source: Disabled Peoples' International North America and the Caribbean,
http://caribbean.dpi.org/index.htm

Monday, March 29, 2010

National Disability Forum Election 2010

Bangladesh National Disability Forum -NFOWD elects a 15 member National Executive Committee on 27 March 2010 for the next two years (2010-2012). Association for the Welfare of the Disabled People (AWDP) warmly felicitates the newly elected NEC. The newly elected NEC comprised of 3 members with loco-motor disability, 5 members with visual impairment/blindness and 7 development activists/resource persons. There are 2 women members elected uncontested including 1 woman with disability.

It has set a milestone example of democratic practices in the election culture of NFOWD since its inception in 1991. Nomination papers were submitted by 25 candidates. Among all 25 candidates there were no contestants for 6 positions and those were elected uncontested.
Those positions are: 1. Sr Vice-president, 2. Woman with disability Secretary, 3. Divisional candidate for Barisal, 4. Divisional candidate for Chittagong, 5. Divisional Candidate for Sylhet and 6. Reserved Seat for PWD Members. Representatives from 158 organizations applied their votes to give mandate to remaining 19 candidates for the rest 9 positions of NEC.

This election was significant from various aspects.
It was for the first time in last 19 years when a highest number, 25 candidates took part in this election. This election has broken all previous trends of selection of Committee by understanding, especially in the senior level positions. Previously the selected Committee members neither needed to solicit opinion of the member organizations nor asked for vote to them. This election has changed that trend significantly.

Strong enthusiasm was created among both candidates and members for this election. Candidates visited organizations to organization in different districts and asked for votes. They also declared Election Manifesto/a set of commitments as well as some new and innovative ideas to promote rights of people with disabilities and capacity building of member organizations of this Forum. Members also went through management consultation within the organizations to choose appropriate candidates for respective positions. Through this election a status of acceptability and recognition of PWD leaders by NFOWD members has also been revealed significantly.

Association for the Welfare of the Disabled People (AWDP) heartily congratulates the newly elected committee and expresses its fullest support and cooperation towards its smooth functioning and achieving the goal.

The Elected Committee & secured votes

1. President: Khandaker Jahurul Alam, 87 Votes;
2. Senior Vice-President: Farida Yesmin (uncontested);
3. Vice-President: Md. Mahbubul Ashraf, 88 votes;
4. Secretary General: Jowaherul Islam Mamun, 72 votes;
5. Asst. Secretary General: M Khalilur Rahman, 103 votes;
6. WWD Secretary: Ms. Morjina Ahmed (uncontested);
7. Treasurer: Sayed Quamrul Islam, 97 votes;
8. NEC Member: Md. Harun Ur Rashid, 87 votes;
9. NEC Member: Mostafa Kamal Jatra (uncontested);
10. NEC Member: Md. Amir Hossain, 91 votes;
11. NEC Member: Mizanur Rahman, 115 Votes;
12. NEC Member: Md. Rajab Ali Khan Nozib (uncontested);
13. NEC Member: Md. Foysal Rahman, (uncontested);
14. NEC Member: Md. Saidul Huq (uncontested);
15. NEC Member: Md. Emdad Moslem, 92 votes.