Amman: Jordan has emerged as a global leader in protecting and advancing the rights of persons with disabilities thanks to King Abdullah II’s vision, according to Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office. Speaking Tuesday at the opening of a specialized training course on disability rights, Abdallat highlighted how the kingdom has become a model for developing legislative frameworks and national policies that align with international standards, ensuring justice, equality, and opportunities for people with disabilities to fully participate in society.
According to Jordan News Agency, “Jordan’s journey since the founding of the state has seen continuous attention to the rights of persons with disabilities,” Abdallat said, noting that these efforts culminated in fundamental constitutional amendments and advanced legislation, particularly Law No. 20 of 2017, which marked a regional breakthrough in establishing rights based on human dignity and equality.
Abdallat emphasized the close partnership between the Jordanian government and the United Nations system, which “reflects Jordan’s steadfast commitment under the leadership of His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince to strengthen the human rights system, especially regarding support and empowerment of persons with disabilities.”
He also highlighted Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II’s role in supporting youth participation, including persons with disabilities, and promoting their integration in various aspects of life. Additionally, he acknowledged the pivotal role of HRH Prince Miraed bin Raad, President of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in leading efforts to empower and integrate persons with disabilities into society.
The Director stressed the importance of unifying national and international efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and linking them to sustainable development goals, particularly goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, and 16, to ensure poverty elimination, improved health services, quality education, enhanced equality, and decent job opportunities, ultimately building inclusive societies that exclude no one.
The training session, organized in partnership with the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UN Resident Coordinator in Jordan, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, comes as part of preparations for an upcoming global summit in Berlin that will highlight King Abdullah’s pioneering role in advancing disability rights internationally.
UN Resident Coordinator Sheri Ritsema-Anderson praised Jordan’s forward-thinking leadership, stating that it “not only sets a strong global standard but also inspires bold future strategies for building an inclusive society.”
Muhannad Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, emphasized that the field of disability rights has made substantial progress globally due to the strength of disability movements worldwide and supportive political will. He called for translating these rights into living practices.
Senator Asia Yaghi underscored the importance of implementing disability legislation and integrating people with disabilities at all societal levels, pointing to King Abdullah’s leadership in supporting opportunities for people with disabilities in decision-making positions and career advancement.
The participants also discussed Jordan’s positive engagement with international human rights mechanisms, having received 1,215 recommendations from various UN systems, and the government’s initiative to prepare a comprehensive national plan to implement these recommendations with the participation of all government sectors and civil society institutions.