#ENDSARS: CCD lauds States govts for setting up Panel of Inquiries, calls for disability inclusion in the activities of the committees

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has commended the efforts of various states government for setting up Panel of Inquiries to look deep into series of atrocities committed by Special anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) before its disbandment by the Inspector General of Police and President Mohammadu Buhari.

In a press statement signed by The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Anyaele, the group recognized that the operations of SARS has caused untold hardship on so many families who loss their loved ones who is either the breadwinner of the family or is being looked up to after spending so much to give him/her education.

The group is concerned that the population of persons with disabilities has consistently increased as a result of modus operandi of SARS. Unfortunately, many people suffered disability during the protests as a result of excessive use of force by the security operatives. This is most condemnable.

As laudable as the effort of the States and Federal government to inquire on the operations of SARS and its effect on the citizenry, The group is worried that none of these Committees set up has the representatives of persons with disabilities either at the State or Federal level, the community of people mostly increased and affected.

Based on the exclusion, the group called on the States Panel of enquiries on SARS to consider the following:

1. Take measure to include person(s) with disabilities as member(s) of the panel in their various States.
2. Ensure the venues for sittings are accessible to persons with disabilities in line with Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 should they decide to appear before the panel.
3. The communication of the panel should be made accessible to persons with disabilities. Where a person with hearing impairment appear before the panel, a sign language interpreter should be on standby for ease of communication.
4. Should a person with disability wish to testify before the panel, he/she should not be discriminated against on the basis of disability in line with section 1 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. CCD calls on members of the panels to be above board and ensure persons that suffered disabilities as a result of SARS operations or as a result of the protests are adequately compensated.