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Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the
Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free
and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the
Pacific (BMF) |
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Materials : Country/Review PaperCOUNTRY PAPER : TIMOR LESTEPrepared by KLIBUR ALEIZADUS TIMOR LORO SA’E THE CURRENT SITUATION IN TIMOR LESTE.For the background refer to country report presented in June 2003. Timor Leste is world’s newest country having achieved independence on 20 May 2002. Much of the infrastructure was destroyed in events leading up to independence. The restoration of the infrastructure, security, and the economic situation have been the areas to receive the government’s attention. Social services have been accorded a lesser priority. Timor Leste is the poorest country in Asia. Forty per cent of the population in Timor Leste lives below the national poverty line. The recent report of poverty assessment carried out by the Government together with the World Bank and other international agencies states that “two in five individuals in Timor Leste are not able to cover the food and non-food consumption requirements.” (Timor Leste. Poverty in New Nation: Analysis for Action. May 2003). The National poverty line estimated for Timor Leste is US$ 15.44 per capita per month, or just over fifty cents per day. The report of The Asia Foundation identified certain specific groups as requiring extra protection either due their legal or social situation because they have special needs that require special attention. One of these groups is the disabled. The services so far provided to persons with disabilities by the government are modest: A special school (located in the capital) for the whole country which caters for a approximately fifty primary school children who are deaf, mute and blind, a three day training course for small business held in Maliana , Baucau, Manatuto, Dili and Suai in 2002-2003(it is planned to extend this program to Ermera, Vique-que and Aileu this year) and a food distribution program for families with disabled children. There are seven disabilities NGO in Timor Leste who provide Physiotherapy, vocational training, advocacy, public education, clinic services and Prosthetics and orthotics is under construction. KATILOSA is about to introduce Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program in four districts. The government has not yet formulated a national policy on disability. It is in the process of hiring a consultant. The government signed the Biwako Millennium Frame Work (BMF) on 19 January 2004 The Disability Working Group which is made up disability NGO’s and the government was revived in June 2004 to communicate the government’s policy and to seek feed back from stakeholders. It has not been communicated to the disability working group or the community what action has been taken on the Seven Priority areas of BMF. The East Timor Constitution Contains a section (Section 21) Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and another section (Section 9) makes International Law applicable to Citizens. No legislation on the disabled has been en acted to date. There is has been no improvement in making public buildings or transport accessible to disabled persons. Their mobility is a major problem for Timor Leste. |
