Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2015 (Marshall Islands)

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act declares the equal rights and freedoms of all persons with disabilities and provides for the protection, promotion and enforcement of such rights and freedoms. The Act sets out the rights of persons with disabilities, stating that persons with disabilities are entitled equally with other persons to the rights and privileges under Article II of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It further mandates the government to take all necessary measures to ensure (i) effective enjoyment of the right to life by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others; and (ii) protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and occurrence of natural disasters. The Act further declares that the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment includes the right not to be subjected to medical treatment or medical or scientific experimentation without the free and informed consent of the person concerned. It likewise provides and reinforces the rights of persons with disabilities with respect to accessibility, equal recognition before the law, access to justice, liberty and security of persons, freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse, liberty of movement and nationality, living independently and being included in the community, freedom of expression and opinion, access to information, right to privacy, respect for home and family, right to education, health care services, habilitation and rehabilitation, work and employment, adequate standard of living and social protection, participation in political and public life, and participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports.