TRIPOLI – Over 30 persons with disabilities joined UNSMIL and UN Women officials in a workshop on Sunday to develop a charter to ensure the inclusion of persons with disability in the Structured Dialogue so that they have a genuine voice in shaping their nation's future through the political roadmap process.
The participants, half of which were women, discussed what assistance would be required to ensure that persons with disabilities can meaningfully engage in the political roadmap and be recognized as essential stakeholders in building a new Libya.
"This is the first time we have a wide group of different expertise and different kind of disabilities around one table," one of female participants commented.
The discussion was grounded in disability rights as a fundamental part of human rights. Participants specifically referenced the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Libya ratified in 2011.
The charter, agreed by the Focused Working Group of Persons with Disabilities representing over 30 organisations, serves as a formal and unified framework for the representatives of persons with disabilities in the Structure Dialogue. UNSMIL has agreed with the selection criteria specified by the Focused Working GRoup for person with disabilities in the Structured Dialogue. The charter guarantees:
Meaningful representation of people with disabilities in all four tracks of the Structured Dialogue (Governance, Security, Economy, National Reconciliation and Human Rights).
Active participation of the four representatives of people with disabilities in all decision-making, not limited to disability-specific matters.
Commitment from representatives to serve all persons with disabilities across Libya and ensure their inclusion in all state policies and programs.
“UNSMIL’s remains committed to ensuring that the voices of persons with disabilities are incorporated into the political process,” said Suki Nagra, Director of UNSMIL’s Human Rights Service. “We will continue to work on the development of the draft law for persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusion for all in the future of Libya.”
Participants agreed to establish a virtual platform ensure that persons with disabilities inside the SD are well connected with those who are outside it to stay connected and coordinate their future advocacy.
Read the full text of the charter: National Charter on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Libya-2026 | UNSMIL
