Seeking institutional arrangements for implementation of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in letter and spirit on Saturday a young pro bono lawyer Shahbaz Shah urged the government to accelerate efforts for human rights realization of more than 10 million deaf people in Pakistan.
In August 11, Islamabad High Court has issue notices to federal government in response to plea of Advocate High Court Syed Shahbaz Shah seeking implementation of Access to the Media (Deaf) Persons Act, 2022 for constitutional fundamental right protection of deaf persons. He filed the petition on behalf of a deaf person Sohail Ahmed saying all the private and state-run broadcasters are required to air news bulletin with sign language interpreters to ensure special persons’ access to the media.
Talking to TLTP, Advocate High Court Shahbaz Shah cited the CRPD saying the instrument makes clear that sign languages are equal in status to spoken languages and obligates states parties to facilitate the learning of sign language and promote the linguistic identity of the Deaf community.
It is pertinent to mention that the UN General Assembly has proclaimed 23 September as the International Day of Sign Languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. The resolution establishing the day acknowledges that early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals. It recognizes the importance of preserving sign languages as part of linguistic and cultural diversity. It also emphasizes the principle of “nothing about us without us” in terms of working with Deaf communities.
Besides, a research revealed that in Pakistan, there are more than 10 Million deaf individuals whereas according to the United Nations Organization’s charter, they are equal citizens of Pakistan. However, unfortunately, results of toppers from the Deaf community are not announced. Also, they are not given awards which demotivates them to excel and work harder. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80 percent of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages. Sign languages are fully fledged natural languages, structurally distinct from the spoken languages.
There is also an international sign language, which is used by deaf people in international meetings and informally when travelling and socializing. It is considered a pidgin form of sign language that is not as complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon.
