(Bandar Seri Begawan, 20th) President of the Brunei Law Society, Zainidi, called on the public to continue striving to ensure that public spaces, schools, and workplaces are truly inclusive during a seminar held yesterday.
He stated at the seminar on "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Mental Capacity", held at the Jubilee Hall of the Brunei Attorney General's Chambers, that: "We must address the issue of social stigma through laws, daily practices, and changes in our mindset."
The seminar, organized by the Brunei Law Society and in cooperation with the Malaysian Bar Council, aimed to deepen the understanding of issues faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) and to strengthen the relevant framework.
He said that although Brunei ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016 and has enacted the Persons with Disabilities Order, Chapter 234, and the Mental Health Order, Chapter 257, implementation and continuous improvement remain crucial.
He added: "We see a need to strengthen decision-making frameworks. Globally, there is a shift from substitute decision-making—that is, making decisions for someone—to supportive decision-making, which helps individuals make their own decisions as much as possible."
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ashkin, and members of the Legislative Council also attended the seminar.
Representatives from Malaysia also shared Malaysia's experiences.
The event concluded with a call to enhance cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia, and with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to jointly work towards creating a more inclusive society.
He stated at the seminar on "The Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Mental Capacity", held at the Jubilee Hall of the Brunei Attorney General's Chambers, that: "We must address the issue of social stigma through laws, daily practices, and changes in our mindset."
The seminar, organized by the Brunei Law Society and in cooperation with the Malaysian Bar Council, aimed to deepen the understanding of issues faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) and to strengthen the relevant framework.
He said that although Brunei ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2016 and has enacted the Persons with Disabilities Order, Chapter 234, and the Mental Health Order, Chapter 257, implementation and continuous improvement remain crucial.
He added: "We see a need to strengthen decision-making frameworks. Globally, there is a shift from substitute decision-making—that is, making decisions for someone—to supportive decision-making, which helps individuals make their own decisions as much as possible."
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ashkin, and members of the Legislative Council also attended the seminar.
Representatives from Malaysia also shared Malaysia's experiences.
The event concluded with a call to enhance cooperation between Brunei and Malaysia, and with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to jointly work towards creating a more inclusive society.