Delegation from human rights unit of the Commonwealth secretariat meets with Speaker Mancienne |03 February 2022

A souvenir photograph after the meeting

A delegation from the Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth secretariat met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Hon. Roger Mancienne, on Tuesday this week.

The Speaker was accompanied by the deputy Speaker, Hon. Gervais Henrie; Hon. Audrey Vidot, the vice-chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC); Hon. Naddy Zialor and the Clerk of the National Assembly, Tania Isaac.

The delegation was headed by Dr Shavana Haythornwaite, head of the Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth secretariat.

The delegation provided the Speaker with an overview of human rights in relation to disability in Seychelles.

Dr Haythornwaite equally expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Speaker and the members present to learn more about policies and frameworks engaging people with disabilities in society.

Dr Haythornwaite pointed out that this meeting was an opportunity to discuss and have a better understanding of existing capacities and resources within our society for persons living with disabilities.

In addition, the Commonwealth delegation was seeking to know more on the legislative work done by the parliament, the frameworks and the challenges that stakeholders encounter to reach their different strategies and aims in empowering people living with a disability.

Dr Haythornwaite emphasised on the need to identify specific frameworks and needs to better provide support and the comprehensive impact of the differently abled within the Seychellois context.

Speaker Mancienne explained further the Assembly’s commitment to work and engage with other stakeholders on human rights issues.

Deputy Speaker Henrie stated further that mostly all constituencies have a committee that groups and represents the persons who are differently abled within the community to ensure they are included in activities and given equal opportunities.

The vice-chairperson of the WPC, Hon. Audrey Vidot, raised a few critical points that the WPC has been advocating strongly about, especially relating to the empowerment and awareness of the vulnerability of disabled women in society.

Hon. Vidot expressed that even though Seychelles has a school that caters for the children who are differently abled, it faces many challenges in getting enough trained staff to work with these students.

Furthermore, there is a need to improve on schemes and structures to ensure that they get their basic needs and can also utilise their skills and ability to prosper in life. On these points, Hon. Vidot called for assistance in areas of training and raising awareness.

Hon. Naddy Zialor further highlighted his work and advocacy as a member of the Assembly and also as a person living with a disability.

Hon. Zialor, previously a member of the National Council of the Disabled, stated that tremendous work has been done to raise awareness and in implementing a more disabled-friendly environment, but there is much work to be done to create more opportunities and equitable access. On this note Hon. Zialor called for assistance in helping the government to consider implementing more infrastructure to facilitate the lives of people living with a disability.

Dr Haythornwaite also assured that the Commonwealth secretariat on human rights will engage in future discussions and possible partnerships to better assist in the legal framework and future projects by the National Assembly so that it can be inclusive and provide equitable access.

Dr Haythornwaite was accompanied by the principal secretary for Family Affairs, Clive Roucou; Dr Justin Pettit, Human Rights Adviser and Gary Rhoda, Human Rights officer from the Commonwealth secretariat.

Press release from the National Assembly secretariat