Equal opportunities act amended to include 14 new rights

Amendments to the Equal Opportunities act were approved in Parliament last night, to reflect the needs and developments of the current time.

Parliamentary Secretary for the rights of those with a disability Justyne Caruana said that the new law, which followed months of consultation with various organisations and the national commission for people with a disability (KNPD) among others,  will be applicable as from today and that it would truly reflect the needs of those with a disability.

Caruana said that the new law will feature fourteen new rights as well as strengthening the KNPD’s regulatory role to further ensure that the rights of those with a disability are properly safeguarded.

She added that the commission would be under the direction of a commissioner for the rights of those with a disability.

Under the amendments, the council for the rights of those with a disability is also expected to have fourteen individuals to assist the commissioner in his role.