MoSD Holds First Meeting of Technical Committee to Develop the Draft Decree-Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Meeting Discusses the Governing Framework, Legislative Development Methodology, Financial Assessment, Work Plan, and Next Steps
Ramallah – The Ministry of Social Development held today, Wednesday, the first meeting of the Technical Committee for the development of the Draft Decree-Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to discuss the governing framework for the development process, the working methodology, and the key stages of the legislative process, alongside the financial assessment, work plan, and follow-up mechanisms for the coming period.
The meeting was opened by Akram Al-Hafi, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Care and Protection, who affirmed that the Ministry, in partnership with the General Union of Persons with Disabilities and with support from UNICEF, attaches particular importance to the work of the Technical Committee as a participatory framework for advancing the development of legislation on the rights of persons with disabilities, with the aim of reaching legislation that responds to their rights and needs and is aligned with relevant national and international obligations.
Al-Hafi stressed the importance of ensuring the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations throughout the various stages of discussion, development, and follow-up, leading to a clear and implementable legislative framework that brings about tangible improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Ajaj Ajaj, Director General of the General Directorate for Persons with Disabilities, continued the proceedings of the meeting, during which the terms of reference, the Technical Committee’s mandate, the roles of the different parties, and working and coordination arrangements were reviewed. Participants also discussed mechanisms for organizing the Committee’s work and its responsibilities throughout the different stages of developing the Draft Decree-Law.
The meeting discussed the proposed legislative development process, including the governing framework, legislative development methodology, key stages of work, the work plan, and progress milestones. Legal Advisor Dr. Issam Abdeen presented the proposed process, followed by a discussion among Committee members on the stages and procedures required to move the development process forward.
The meeting also addressed the financial assessment process and its integration with legislative development, through a presentation by the team of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) on the financial assessment methodology, baseline, expected additional costs, available resources and potential financing gap, as well as financing options and implementation scenarios. The aim is to ensure that legislative development is linked from the outset to implementation requirements and the resources needed to put the legislation into practice.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the next steps, work priorities, required data, coordination of consultations, follow-up mechanisms, and the timeline for the coming phase, with the aim of ensuring clarity in the working methodology and responsibilities and enabling regular monitoring of progress in developing the Draft Decree-Law.