-Disability Commission
The National Commission on Disability (NCD) yesterday said that while aviation security remains a critical priority, all security procedures should be carried out with the highest standards of professionalism, sensitivity and respect for the rights of every traveller, including persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The commission issued a statement in the context of the concerns raised by US citizen and amputee Zaid Khan regarding his “humiliating” experience during security screening at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri recently.
Established under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2010, the statement said the NCD serves as the principal body responsible for matters to the rights, welfare and inclusion of PWDs in Guyana. “The commission maintains that the implementation and enforcement of security protocols must inherently uphold with the fundamental principles of accessibility, inclusion, and respect for dignity,” the statement said.
It continued that the NCD acknowledged the CJIA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to the National Civil Aviation Security Programme and welcomes its decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the matter. “We commend the airport’s willingness to examine whether established protocols were appropriately followed and its recognition of the importance of ensuring that necessary security measures do not compromise the dignity, comfort, or respectful treatment of passengers with disabilities.”
Khan told Kiskadee Watch last evening that the commission has never reached out to him to hear his side of the story.
Meanwhile, the NCD said it remains available to provide tailored disability awareness, accessibility and sensitivity training to public institutions, private organisations, and service providers. “The commission believes that continuous education and capacity-building for frontline personnel are essential to fostering environments that are both secure and inclusive, while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all persons with disabilities.”
The commission’s mandate includes advising the government on disability-related issues, promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, and advocating for accessible and inclusive public services, including transportation and security facilities.
Meanwhile, Khan said not a single one of the Guyanese authorities he contacted has responded to his complaint through any official channels. He was travelling with his elderly Guyanese parents last June 17 when an employee manning the scanners asked him to remove both his pants and prosthetic leg.
With no response from the authorities forthcoming since the complaints he lodged, Khan said that he has opened cases with his local U.S. Senator and Congressman and is working closely with federal agencies in the United States to carry the matter to the highest levels of government in Washington. “The U.S. Department of State has my case on record and is tracking it,” he shared.
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