Court buildings disability unfriendly— law lecturer
Human and disability rights lecturer at Chancellor College in Zomba Enoch Chilemba has said court buildings are a burden to people with disabilities.
He was speaking last week at college campus during a day-long workshop the faculty of law organised for magistrates, which was aimed at realising how the courts can be disability friendly.
Chilemba said many courtrooms are on top floors, which makes mobility for people on wheelchairs difficult.
“Even people with visual impairment face challenges to read judgements as they are usually printed or handwritten on paper instead of braille,” he said.
struggle at the court
The lecturer told the magistrates that shortage of disability friendly infrastructure and documentation in courts infringe on people with disabilities, which is a violation of their rights.
“May the magistrates remember that they are the nucleus of justice; hence, any negligence in attending to cases involving persons with disabilities infringes on their right to fair trial” he said.
Senior resident magistrate Howard Pemba from Zomba said they are committed to ensuring that the rights of the disabled are respected.
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Osisa) provided technical support for the workshop.
