This is a picture of a flower.
Mohammad Mohabbai

One of the characteristics of a developed society in terms of culture is proper and civilized behavior towards people with disabilities. Disabled individuals are those who, due to weaknesses and deficiencies in their body or soul, do not have many of the abilities of healthy humans. These weaknesses and deficiencies may be congenital or may have occurred as a result of war, accidents, etc.

The dignity of human beings is an inseparable part of human rights; meaning that societies and governments must be managed in a way and citizens must behave in a manner that no one’s human dignity is harmed.

Some people become disabled or handicapped at birth or later in life. If society and the government treat them the same as other citizens, it damages their human dignity. For example, a disabled person may not be able to have a regular job and may need support from the government and society. In these cases, in order to respect the human dignity of these individuals, society is obligated to provide them with special privileges.

The most important point in dealing with disabled individuals is kindness without pity. However, if disrespect is shown towards disabled individuals in a society and they are subjected to physical and emotional abuse, one should be concerned about the mental and emotional well-being of that society.

According to existing reports, between 5 to 10 percent of the population of countries around the world, including Iran, are affected by one form of physical or mental disability. According to an official from the Welfare Organization, 10,000 people are added annually to the disabled population of Tehran and approximately 60,000 people are added to the total disabled population of the country. Based on these numbers, it can be said that 165 people are added to the statistics of disabled Iranians daily. This number includes disabled infants and congenital disabilities, as well as individuals who become disabled due to accidents or illnesses.

Worrying news

A while ago, news of mistreatment towards disabled individuals in a facility in Karaj caused concern among disability rights activists.

After the release of reports about the abuse and torture of disabled individuals in a facility in Alborz province, the prosecutor of Karaj announced: “The tying up of disabled individuals with ropes and chains has also been proven in another facility in this province.”

ISNA news agency reported, quoting Mr. Shaker, the prosecutor of Karaj: “A few days ago, a report was sent to the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Karaj regarding the torture of disabled individuals using dogs and chains in a rehabilitation center in Fardis, and investigations into this matter have begun.”

He added that after investigations by judicial authorities regarding the use of ropes and chains to tie disabled individuals in this shelter, a case has been formed and referred to the prosecutor’s office in Fardis. According to this report, the mentioned shelter has been sealed by the Welfare Organization of Alborz Province. This is the second center that has been closed in one week (the third week of Shahrivar month) due to mistreatment of disabled individuals and has been reported by the media.

The prosecutor of Karaj, regarding the reason for the closure of disabled individuals in Fardis Rehabilitation Center, told ISNA: “According to defined standards, the care center for the disabled is obligated to establish a reasonable ratio between the number of disabled individuals and its employees in order to provide the best services to the disabled. However, this center had resorted to tying up disabled individuals with ropes and chains in order to hire fewer staff and pay less money.”

But apparently, with the help of the beneficiaries, it is not limited to just disabled shelters. Last week, Iranian media reported on the emergence of “horrific and even deadly torture” in a drug addiction camp in Malard, Tehran.

The Citizen newspaper, quoting the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Malard, reported the arrest of two managers of this camp who are accused of harassing and torturing addicts. According to this report, in September of last year (2014), 3 officials from another addiction treatment camp were also sentenced to 3 years in prison and payment of blood money for the unintentional murder of an addict, caused by beating and mistreatment.

In recent years, there have been many reports about misconduct and harassment of addicts and disabled individuals in addiction treatment centers and rehabilitation facilities, which have sometimes been denied by officials and other times have faced legal action.

The government refrains from allocating sufficient budget for the establishment of such centers, and many rehabilitation centers and camps are managed by the private sector with minimal facilities and trained personnel.

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International Covenant on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The International Covenant on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, of which Iran is also a member, is a good document for reminding the authorities of the Islamic Republic about their responsibilities. Although there are both private and government-run facilities for disabled individuals in Iran, the government is ultimately responsible for the fate of each and every disabled member of society and cannot ignore its responsibility due to violent behavior towards a disabled person in a privately-run facility.

Article 4 of the aforementioned covenant regarding the general obligations of the members of the covenant states the following:

Member states commit to ensuring the realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without any discrimination based on disability, and to promote and enhance them. To this end, member states commit to:

All legal, administrative and other measures shall be taken to implement the recognized rights in the present Convention.

2- All necessary measures, including legislation to amend or repeal existing laws, regulations, customs, and practices that result in discrimination against individuals with disabilities, should be taken.

3- Support and promote the human rights of individuals with disabilities in all policies and programs.

4- Refrain from any actions or methods that are contrary to the present convention and ensure that government authorities and institutions act in accordance with the present convention.

5- All necessary measures should be taken by each individual, organization, or personal entity to eliminate discrimination based on disability.

6- Research and development of products, services, equipment, and goods in accordance with global design principles and in compliance with the principles of the 2nd convention, or upgrading them, in a way that requires the least compatibility and cost in meeting the specific needs of individuals with disabilities, and promotes their access and utilization, and enhances global design in the development of standards and guidelines.

7- Promote research and development and improve access to and use of new technologies, including information and communication technologies, mobility aids, and emergency technologies, prioritizing affordable technologies for people with disabilities.

8- Provide accessible information about transportation aids, equipment and emergency technologies, including modern technologies and other forms of emergency assistance, support services and facilities for individuals with disabilities.

9- Training employees and specialists who interact with individuals with disabilities in the field of rights recognized in this convention in order to improve the provision of services and assistance guaranteed by these rights.

10- Each of the member states is committed, based on cultural, social, and economic rights, to take measures within the framework of international cooperation, with the intention of achieving full realization of the mentioned rights without prejudice to the obligations set forth in the present Convention, using the highest available resources and where necessary, without any discrimination, in accordance with international law, to adopt them immediately.

11- In order to implement the current convention on the development and implementation of policies, laws, and other decision-making processes related to persons with disabilities, member states consult closely with persons with disabilities and children with disabilities through organizations that represent them and actively involve them in the process.

12- No provision in this Convention shall affect any provisions which may be conducive to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities in the law of a member state or in international law, where it is implemented in that country. No restrictions or cancellations shall be made with regard to human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized or existing by a member state, in accordance with the law, conventions, regulations or customs, on the pretext that this Convention does not recognize or recognizes them with less importance, shall not be applied.

“Furthermore, in Article 16, it is stated about the freedom of disabled individuals from exploitation, violence, and harassment and persecution.”

1- Member states adopt all appropriate legal, administrative, social, and educational measures, or other measures, to support individuals with disabilities inside and outside the home, and to protect them from all forms of exploitation, violence, and harassment, including gender-based aspects.

2- Member states also take appropriate measures to prevent all forms of exploitation, violence, and harassment, guaranteeing sensitive forms of assistance such as appropriate gender and age-sensitive support and protection for individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers, including through providing information and education on how to avoid, identify, and report instances of exploitation, violence, and harassment. Member states ensure that support services are sensitive to age, gender, and disability.

3- In order to prevent all forms of exploitation, violence, and harassment, member states ensure that all facilities and programs designed to serve individuals with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities.

4- Member states take all necessary measures, including providing support services, to promote physical, cognitive, psychological, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society for individuals with disabilities who have been victims of exploitation, violence, or abuse.

5- Member states adopt effective laws and policies, including laws and policies focused on women and children, to ensure that cases of exploitation, violence, and harassment against persons with disabilities are identified, addressed, and prosecuted when necessary.

With these interpretations and considering the current trends in Iran, to what extent is the proper treatment of people with disabilities possible, whether in society, in families, or in various private and government institutions?!

Rational and humane behavior towards people with disabilities.

One of the major challenges for people with disabilities is their interaction with others. Unfortunately, the majority of society, without considering the conditions and abilities of people with disabilities, treat them with excessive sympathy and pity, which causes irreparable emotional damage to them. It is important to note that people with disabilities have abilities alongside their limitations, which can be strengthened with the right support. When it comes to disability, the following points should be considered:

Let us remember to never disregard people’s abilities. Be sure that everyone has capabilities that need to be provided with the right conditions.

2- Disabled individuals, like other members of society, deserve mutual respect; it is important to treat them appropriately.

3- Let’s be dignified, humble, and respectful and behave towards others in a way that we expect them to behave towards us. When interacting with disabled individuals, let’s also pay attention to their abilities alongside their disabilities.

4- In normal society, when faced with each other and experiencing positive emotions, people shake hands. When dealing with disabled individuals, due to some limitations, let’s not rush to shake their hands and allow them to take the lead in this matter. Without shaking hands, by showing a smiling and cheerful face, we can still successfully establish a constructive and friendly connection.

5- Never ask about how someone became disabled. If we feel it is necessary, we should first prepare suitable conditions so that the disabled person can willingly answer our questions.

6- When communicating with disabled individuals, we should avoid using negative and provocative words; for example, when facing someone with multiple sclerosis, instead of saying phrases like “has MS” and so on, we should clearly state that this person has multiple sclerosis.

7- Let us remember that disability does not mean being unable to work and becoming isolated. Many disabled individuals are capable in various fields and can live independently if the conditions are suitable.

8- When communicating with disabled individuals, especially those with speech limitations, more time should be given to them to respond.

9- Disability and inability do not always manifest themselves clearly. People with diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, various types of cancer, kidney failure, vascular diseases, etc. also face some form of disability; therefore, it is necessary to have appropriate behavior when dealing with them.

10- In some cases, people with disabilities may experience discomfort due to side effects such as pain, medication use, side effects of medications, etc. They may also experience restlessness, drowsiness, impaired thinking and speaking abilities, etc. It is necessary to understand their conditions and have appropriate interactions with them.