Sharjah Ruler establishes council for disability rights

Establishment and objectives of the council

The decree stipulates the creation of a council dedicated to organising the rights of persons with disabilities in the Emirate.

The council shall have legal personality and full capacity to perform the necessary legal actions to achieve its objectives and exercise its competencies, with its main headquarters located in the city of Sharjah.

The decree defines the council’s objectives as follows: ensuring that persons with disabilities fully enjoy all their legally established fundamental rights and freedoms on an equal footing with others; guaranteeing effective participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities in society, particularly in policies, plans, governmental programmes, and decision-making processes affecting them; and integrating disability programmes into developmental policies, including persons with disabilities in all areas of life, and raising awareness of their abilities and skills.

Council competencies

In accordance with the decree and taking into account relevant federal and local legislation, the council shall exercise the following competencies to achieve its objectives: setting general policy and strategic plans aimed at empowering persons with disabilities in the Emirate and overseeing their implementation; adopting legislation and regulations necessary for the empowerment of persons with disabilities; establishing standards to enhance the quality of programmes and services provided to persons with disabilities in the Emirate in coordination with relevant authorities; monitoring the compliance of local government entities with legislation, regulations, and policies related to the rights of persons with disabilities; establishing mechanisms to monitor violations of the rights of persons with disabilities and providing channels to receive related complaints and reports; participating in and organising local and international conferences and meetings, exchanging expertise and information in the field of disability empowerment, advocacy, and inclusion; entering into contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships with relevant parties; and carrying out any other tasks assigned to the council by the Sharjah Ruler.

Council membership

According to the decree, the council shall be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and shall include representatives from the following entities: Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services; the Sharjah Social Services Department; clubs for persons with disabilities in the Emirate; and any other entity deemed necessary for inclusion by the Sharjah Ruler. The members of the council shall be appointed by an Emiri Decree.

Secretary-General of the Council

The decree provides for the appointment of a Secretary-General by Emiri Decree, who shall be responsible for performing duties before the chairman of the council. The Secretary-General shall organise and coordinate the council’s work to ensure the achievement of its objectives and follow up on all decisions and recommendations issued until they are fully implemented. Specifically, the Secretary-General shall submit development proposals to improve the council’s performance to the chairman, implement council-approved decisions, recommendations, and strategic plans in coordination with local government entities and report periodically to the chairman, supervise overall council operations, act as the council’s secretary, organise and maintain documents and meeting minutes, represent the council in court and in dealings with government entities and other parties, sign contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and partnerships on behalf of the council, prepare the general budget and final accounts of the council and present them to the chairman, and perform any other duties assigned by the chairman.