Uganda: Communication problems leave 40 deaf people in prison without trial

[Harold Schiffman]

Communication problems leave 40 deaf people in prison without trial

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New Vision Online : Communication problems leave 40 deaf people in
prison without trial

FORTY deaf people are languishing in prisons without trial due to
communication constraints. Alex Ndeezi, MP for Persons with
Disability, said the courts do not provide for sign language. "The
deaf cannot communicate with the Police, magistrates and judges," he
said on Wednesday. The MP raised the issues during a debate on the
report of the committee on equal opportunities. This followed a 2006
petition by the Uganda National Association for the Deaf in which the
members complained that they were sometimes denied justice. "They are
unlawfully arrested and put in detention without trial," they said.

Ndeezi promised to give Parliament the names of the detainees.
According to committee chairperson Jalia Bintu, lack of communications
skills for the deaf also denied them access to health services and
participation in decision-making. Parliament recommended that the
Government enacts a sign language policy to promote its use in
different sectors. MPs also called for a census for deaf persons in
order for the Government to plan for them.

http://www.alldeaf.com/deaf-news/49603-communication-problems-leave-40-deaf-people-prison-without-trial.html

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