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Report Minutes of the visit of Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Thani, Upon an invitation from the Ministry of Social affairs, solidarity & Tunisian Abroad, H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, Special Rapporteur on Disability , of the United Nations has paid a business visit to Tunisia between the 10th and 14th of June 2005, with the prospect of cognizing the Tunisian experience in the field of disabled care and the integration of the disabled into the society. H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, Special Rapporteur on Disability,of the United Nations, was accompanied, during her visit, by:
H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, the Special Rapporteur on Disability, of the United Nations, attended a business session with Mr. Raffi Dakhiel; Minister of Social Affairs, solidarity & Tunisian Abroad and Mrs. Najaah Bulkhairia Garawi State Secretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity & Tunisian Abroad entrusted with Social Development. During the session the Tunisian policy relating to the welfare of persons with disabilities was demonstrated and the achievements in the field of their development enumerated, all with the purpose of enhancing their participation in the social and economic life. H.E. Minister of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad has pointed out that the State of Tunisia is a signatory to International Agreements and United Nations Declarations in the field of the protection, welfare, and inclusion of people with disabilities, has laid down the legislations, programs and necessary procedures that would enable the State to achieve those purposes. He further pinpointed, in this respect, the new directive bill concerned with the development and promotion of people with disabilities, which bill was lately reviewed by the Council of Ministers. The valuable contributions of associations, within the State, in collaboration with the role of the government in the field of promotion and welfare of people with disabilities, was also examined. Credit was given to the prominent role that “Basma Association” play in the field. HE has also stressed the importance of the participation in phase 2 of the International Summit on Informative Society that would be held under the sponsorship of Tunisia during November 2005, for the establishment of a cooperative and susceptible Society for knowledge. H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, highlighted the pioneer experience of Tunisia in the disability field and provision of services, and described it as eminent and an example that should be followed in the Arab world, and emphasized its intention to make it well known within the Arab region as well as world wide. H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, has also met with Mrs. Salwa Alaiashi Allaban; Minister of Women, Family, Childhood and the Elderly Affairs, during which she was informed on the achievements and fulfillments in the fields of women, family, childhood and the elderly in Tunisia. H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, and the accompanying delegation, has also visited the following institutions and centers:
H.E. Sheikha Hissa Bint Khalifa bin Ahmad Al-Thani, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, has also met Mr. Ibrahim Albrieki, Governor of Nabil, during which, methods and ways for recreation and tourism directed to people with disabilities were discussd in detail. A work session was further held, on the occasion, in the headquarters of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Cooperation & Tunisians Abroad, attended by a number of presidents, leaders and representatives of Tunisian associations working in the field of disability, during which the efforts exerted in this field were demonstrated, along with the activities and programs directed to people with disabilities in the areas of special education, rehabilitation and inclusion. The visit has also tackled the procedures that Tunisia has followed in relation to the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and the role the Republic of Tunisia is capable of playing in facilitating cooperation on the Arab and regional levels to fulfill the goals and objectives of the “Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities". The debates and dialogue were characterized with mutual understanding and cooperation, and the followings were agreed upon between the parties:
Drawn in Tunisia on 14 June 2005
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