By Domingo Dargbeh
The National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) has called for a more inclusive constitutional reform process.
The Commission wants a reform that will explicitly protects the rights, dignity, political participation, and equal opportunities of persons living with disabilities (PLWD).
It said, constitutional reform presents a historic opportunity to strengthen the democratic values, uphold human rights, promote equality, and advance inclusive national development.
It emphasized the need for a constitutional reform process that will consider genuine democratic if persons Living with disabilities are excluded from meaningful participation, or their rights are not adequately protected.
NCD Acting Executive Director, J. Aaron Wright made the call in an official position statement delivered during the National Constitutional Symposium held from November 3–7, in Ganta, Nimba County.
The Governance Commission (GC) organized the symposium in collaboration with the Law Reform Commission (LRC). It was hosted under the theme: “Promoting Inclusive Constitutional Reform for the Protection, Participation and Advancement of Persons Living with Disabilities in Liberia.”
Wright told the gathering that persons with disabilities must be recognized as equal citizens whose voices, and contributions deserve meaningful consideration in shaping the constitutional future.
He declared that a constitution that excludes persons with disabilities cannot represent the aspirations of all Liberians, adding that everyone must enjoy equal protection under the law.
NCD particularly called for a review of Article 11 of the Constitution to explicitly recognize disability as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
It also urged constitutional reform stakeholders to review Article 64, and remove discriminatory provisions that could undermine the rights of persons Living with disabilities to contest, and hold elective public offices.
Beyond constitutional protections, the Commission urged stakeholders to prioritize equal political representation, accessible public infrastructure, and services, inclusive education, employment opportunities, access to justice, and stronger social protection systems for persons with disabilities.
According to the NCD, the measures are necessary to ensure that constitutional reform translates into practical improvements in the lives of affected citizens.
Referencing Liberia’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2012, the Commission said, the proposed constitutional amendments must be consistent with the international human rights obligations.
It also called for the reform process to support the implementation of the National Action Plan for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (2023–2027).
The Commission further emphasized the need to actively involve Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPWDs), women, young people, and individuals representing different categories of disabilities throughout the constitutional reform process.
It called for accessible public consultations through sign language interpretation, Braille, large-print materials, and other appropriate communication formats to ensure that no group is left behind.
Wright also appealed to the government through the Legislature, the Governance Commission, civil society organizations, and development partners, to support constitutional provisions that eliminate discrimination, and guarantee equal rights and opportunities for every citizen.
