Minister Peter commended for championing Disability Rights Legislation

Leader of Government Business and Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsiamalili Jr commended Minister for Community Development, Religion and Youth, Jason Peter for introducing and securing the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill in the National Parliament.

He said this milestone legislation comes at a time Papua New Guinea prepares to mark its 50th Anniversary of Independence to ensure rights and dignity of all citizens, including the 1.6 million Papua New Guineans living with disabilities is protected.

“The enactment of this Bill signals the Government’s unambiguous commitment to inclusion, protection, and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

“It lays the legal foundation for a society where physical and systematic barriers are dismantled to ensure every individual is enabled to participate fully in social, political, and economic life.

“Importantly, this legislation also brings the country into fuller compliance with its international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [CRPD], which PNG ratified in 2013. The CRPD is a landmark international human rights treaty that promotes, protects, and ensures the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities.”

“Specifically this legislation gives effect to Article 4 of the CRPD, which requires States Parties to adopt appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the Convention.

"It also upholds Article 5 [Equality and Non-Discrimination] and Article 9 [Accessibility], which mandate equal access to justice, education, employment, health, and public services.”

He added that by passing this Bill, Papua New Guinea affirms its position on the global stage as a nation that respects the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, in line with the universal principles of human rights.

“This is more than a legislative achievement, it is a moral and constitutional affirmation that our development as a country must be inclusive, rights-based, and people-centered. It is a legacy of leadership, compassion, and justice that will define our next 50 years.