Using the Section 36 Procedure

21. Follow up on news reports of disability rights violations

Even in districts where committees established by the Persons with Disabilities’ Rights and Protection Act, 2013 (DRPA) are not active, persons with disabilities are entitled to file Section 36 applications. Severe disability rights violations that are well covered by media outlets might create public pressure for inactive committees to address a specific issue. DPOs might be able to use that momentum and public pressure to advocate for the committee to continue to hold regular meetings well after the specific issue is resolved.

The experience of USAID’s EPD program is that even in districts without functioning committees, committee members may spring into action if a Section 36 application is presented after a highly publicized rights violation. DPOs should follow up on media reports that describe possible DRPA rights violations by contacting the person with disability and/or the person’s family to inform them of their rights under the DRPA and the Section 36 procedure. Especially where a reported disability rights violation is severe, district committee members who were unaware of their responsibilities may become very proactive if DPOs make them aware of their broad powers under the DRPA.

Additional Links: USAID Bangladesh • BlueLaw International

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This domain was previously home to a joint report by NGDO, NCDW, and BLAST entitled “Current Status of Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh: Legal and Grassroots Perspectives 2015,” produced with funding from the Disability Rights Fund. It is now available here.