Blind people go on hunger strike

Do not implement the law on blind persons from Kosovo institutions, has caused the Independent and Verber Initiative to enter into hunger strikes, with the requirement that the Law be implemented.

The representative of this initiative, Halil Kurmehaj, indicated that today by 11 to 30 will enter hunger strike and that strike will last 24 hours.

He expresses disappointment that Kosovo institutions have not met their demands, even though there have been several meetings where they have received promises that they will comply.

The main reason for Kurmeha's entry into strike says is disrespecting the law for the blind.

“Greva is important and there is reason to do such a strike, given the fact that the Independent and Verber Initiative has arranged a large number of meetings with Kosovo institutions, while we have also had different protests. There have been three consecutive protests, and the activists of these institutions have still failed to implement at least one of the projected points, seen even in Kosovo's applicable judicial framework, and especially in the law for blind persons”, Kurmeha told Kosova Priss.

A requirement of the initiative is for the blindness-booking device to be passed to the Ministry of Labour and Social Management, as currently the booking device makes the Kosovo Blind Society.

Kurmehe says the Kosovo Blind Association receives a considerable amount of taxes, which he calls contrary to the Law on Blind Persons.

The blind community is forced to join the Blind Association if it wants to be equipped with blindness booklets. We are not opposed to membership in nongovernmental organisations, for blindness books should be issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Management. Since this document on whether to be issued from these institutions will be valid and incompatible document”, Kurmeha says.

The employment issue is also a requirement of this initiative, which they say wants the law to be respected where every 50 employees should be a blind person.

And we've also had various requests, we've had requirements regarding education and education in this community, and we've also had requests in terms of access to the justice system, access to health services, and those guaranteed with the legal framework in terms of limited capacity. We have also had a range of requests, even in terms of the question of rehabilitation of this community by offering special emphasis to the employment of this community, where in each of the 50 employees, whether in the private or public sector, it should be a blind person. We have also released statistics since 2014 and have come to a conclusion that if the law was implemented not before 2014 then a large number of this community must be employed”, he said.

Independent Blind Initiative representative extends the invitation to all organisations dealing with the rights of disabled persons to join the strike, saying it is the first time that a strike is staged in Kosovo to demand law and order.

“We call on all public opinion, all associations, we also call on all organizations dealing with disabled persons, all citizens of goodwill who want to join us and be part of the strike urge them to help us. Since there is no more dignified requirement than to seek the implementation of the law in Kosovo, it is the first time in Kosovo that such a strike occurs to demand law and order”, he said.

The hunger strike by the Independent Verber Initiative will begin at 11 to 30 and will last 24 hours, where protesters will be placed in “Square. Skenderbeu” before Kosovo government