By Francis Ogwo
The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, has condemned the discrimination of persons with disabilities by airline careers.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the group on Tuesday in which it cited a case involving Dana Airlines.
According to the statement, a few days ago, Dana Airlines refused to allow one Dr Chike Okogwu to board its Abuja to Lagos bound aircraft stating that their refusal was based on the airline’s “new policy” that forbids the flying of persons with disabilities on its aircrafts “at night.”
The human rights group therefore condemned the policy as negatively discriminating against persons living with disabilities.
Speaking further, the group said the discrimination is not perculiar to the new policy’ of Dana Airlines but a recurrent incidence within the country’s aviation sector.
Another case was posited by the group which allegedly happened some days before the case of Dr Chike. They cited a viral video on social media in which a woman was seemingly denied access to board an aircraft because she was on a wheelchair.
The statement by the Centre for Human Rights also said so many complaints of discriminations against persons with disabilities especially several airlines not allowing them to fly owing to their status.
It partly reads: “In addition to the stigmatisation attitude of Nigeria airlines towards persons with disabilities, there have been general complaints about the absence of necessary accessibility aids such as ramps, bridges and other facilities to ensure a smooth and accessible usage of Nigerian airports and aircrafts by persons with disabilities.
“The absence of accessibility aids in airports has resulted in the violation of several rights of persons with disabilities, such as the right to human dignity and self-esteem, the right to privacy, and gender-based sexual harassment and abuse, and financial exploitation,” the statement said.
According to Wikipedia sources, the list of rights of persons living with disabilities include Right to live with their families or with foster parents and to participate in all social, creative or recreational activities.
It also include: Right to protection against exploitation, discrimination, and abuse, right to qualified legal aid,right to consult organizations of disabled persons for in matters of concern.
The Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, is an internationally recognised university-based institution combining academic excellence and effective activism to advance human rights, particularly in Africa. It aims to contribute to advancing human rights, through education, research and advocacy.
