Kathmandu. In line with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, a special session on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities was organized during the ongoing Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar.

The session was jointly organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), among other international partners.

The thematic discussion, titled “Redefining Justice: Ending the Exclusion of Persons with Disabilities through Inclusive Systems,” featured Ms. Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Finland’s Minister of Social Security, as the keynote speaker.
Dr. Heba Hagrass, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, delivered a special address highlighting global commitments to ensuring equal justice for people with disabilities.

Representatives from three countries participated in the panel discussion, including Advocate Sabin Shrestha, Executive Director of FWLD from Nepal; Carolyn Sturr from Kenya; and Mohammad Al Hasnan from Pakistan.

The session was moderated by Advocate Karuna Parajuli from the ICJ.

The discussion emphasized that instead of restricting or excluding individuals based on disability, states must create positive and enabling environments where persons with disabilities can participate equally and have full access to justice and opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of Nepal, Advocate Sabin Shrestha noted that while Nepal has made progressive legal provisions and developed disability-friendly directives, the implementation gap remains a major challenge.
He stressed the need to strengthen representation of persons with disabilities within various state and institutional structures and reaffirmed FWLD’s continued efforts to ensure access and inclusion for people with diverse disabilities.

The Second World Summit for Social Development, which brings together heads of state, government leaders, and representatives from multiple countries, is being held in Doha from November 3 to 5 (Kartik 18–20).