[{"command":"settings","settings":{"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"core\/picturefill,entity_embed\/caption,paragraphs\/drupal.paragraphs.unpublished,views\/views.ajax,views\/views.module","theme":"hrw_design","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"views":{"ajax_path":"\/views\/ajax","ajaxViews":{"views_dom_id:blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__283108__en":{"view_name":"blog_live_feed","view_display_id":"blog_body_block","view_args":"283108","view_path":"\/blog\/content\/283108","view_base_path":null,"view_dom_id":"blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__283108__en","pager_element":0}}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"0ae5601d8790ff50fca3cf23b9ac9170285f2f75823ebdc8d9cc054bc03a679b"}},"merge":true},{"command":"add_css","data":"\u003Clink rel=\u0022stylesheet\u0022 media=\u0022all\u0022 href=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/css\/css_6y7W-wuXolmUSSM_E41HS8j5g9ESO9HspZEmHz3ug3U.css\u0022 \/\u003E\n"},{"command":"add_js","selector":"body","data":[{"src":"\/sites\/default\/files\/js\/js_VkK39bvB4H6LLVemwPFz8QWcUMTFqZ3FFo_LBVv_4vs.js"}]},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":".js-view-dom-id-blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__283108__en","data":"\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-view-dom-id-blog_live_feed__blog_body_block__283108__en\u0022\u003E\n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n\n \u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022blog-block__content__description rich-text pt-6 mb:pt-10 mx-auto\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003E(Rangoon) \u2013 On election day, approximately 50,000 polling stations will be opened across the country. Of those, only five \u00ad\u2013 three in Rangoon, one in Mandalay, and one in Irrawaddy \u2013 are universally designed for people with disabilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed\u0022 data-type=\u0022image\u0022\u003E\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed align-right embedded-entity embedded-entity-type-media embedded-entity-bundle-image embedded-entity-viewmode-embeddable embed--right\u0022\u003E\n \n\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \n \n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\u0022figure figure--expand text-center\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022figure__media relative inline-block mx-auto\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ca href=\u0022\/modal\/26478\u0022 rel=\u0022modal:open\u0022 class=\u0022figure__link\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cimg srcset=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/480w\/public\/multimedia_images_2015\/mili.jpg?itok=UkkgXGpc 480w, \/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/multimedia_images_2015\/mili.jpg?itok=R6BExxq1 850w\u0022 sizes=\u0022(max-width: 524px) 100px, 500px\u0022 data-responsive-image-style=\u0022embedded_images\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/multimedia_images_2015\/mili.jpg?itok=R6BExxq1\u0022 width=\u0022850\u0022 height=\u00221273\u0022 alt=\u0022A collection of educational materials on promoting disability access in Burma\u0027s elections.\u0022 loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022figure__expand absolute block bottom-0 right-0 w-8 h-8 bg-white text-gray-700\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022sr-only\u0022\u003EClick to expand Image\u003C\/span\u003E\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022icon fill-current w-full inline-block\u0022\u003E\n \u003Csvg viewbox=\u00220 0 20 20\u0022 fill=\u0022currentColor\u0022 role=\u0022img\u0022 focusable=\u0022false\u0022 aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u003Cuse xlink:href=\u0022\/themes\/custom\/hrw_design\/dist\/app-drupal\/assets\/spritemap.svg?cacheBuster=#sprite-expand\u0022\u003E\u003C\/use\u003E\u003C\/svg\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/a\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022figure__info text-left font-serif text-xs md:text-sm lg:text-base mx-auto text-gray-700 mt-1\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022figure__caption\u0022\u003EEducational materials on the promotion of voting rights for people with disabilities.\n\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Myanmar Independent Living Initiative (MILI), a Burmese NGO that promotes the rights of persons living with disabilities, has been working with the Union Election Commission (UEC) since 2012 to help design an accessible electoral process. Resource limitations, however, have curbed their efforts\u2019 scope and efficiency \u2013 evident in the minute number of accessible polling stations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u2019t expect 100 percent [accessibility] because the UEC doesn\u2019t have the resources to develop new infrastructure,\u201d MILI\u2019s founder Nay Lin Soe said. \u201cWe just want to have proper support and accessible conditions to where we can enjoy our rights.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EPeople with disabilities face serious social and institutional discrimination in Burma, where awareness of disability rights is low and negative stereotypes high. According to the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.themimu.info\/sites\/themimu.info\/files\/documents\/Census_Highlights_Report_Eng_2015.pdf\u0022\u003E2014 census\u003C\/a\u003E, Burma has 2.4 million people with disabilities, of which MILI estimates 1.5 million are eligible voters.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EOrganizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) point out that in Burma, disability rights are seen as a non-politicized issue. The authorities have been more proactively engaged, as opposed to with other rights-related topics such as land seizures or religious discrimination. MILI reports that the UEC has been generally responsive to disability rights concerns, including adding a chapter on support for voters with disabilities in the poll worker training manual and developing ballots in braille for a small number of polling stations near schools for people who are blind. Yet the results overall are lacking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed\u0022 data-type=\u0022video\u0022\u003E\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed align-center embedded-entity embedded-entity-type-node embedded-entity-bundle-video embedded-entity-viewmode-embeddable embed--center\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022video__embeddable mb-6\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv about=\u0022\/video-photos\/video\/2015\/11\/06\/precious-ballot\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022video overflow-hidden\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022video__frame h-0 relative pb-video\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cdiv class=\u0022video__image js-video-hide-on-play absolute z-10 w-full h-full m-auto\u0022\u003E\n \n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cbutton class=\u0022video__icon js-video-hide-on-play cursor-pointer absolute h-16 w-16 video-position block z-20\u0022 aria-label=\u0022click to play video\u0022\u003E\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022icon fill-current w-full inline-block\u0022\u003E\n \u003Csvg viewbox=\u00220 0 20 20\u0022 fill=\u0022currentColor\u0022 role=\u0022img\u0022 focusable=\u0022false\u0022 aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u003Cuse xlink:href=\u0022\/themes\/custom\/hrw_design\/dist\/app-drupal\/assets\/spritemap.svg?cacheBuster=#sprite-play\u0022\u003E\u003C\/use\u003E\u003C\/svg\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/button\u003E\n \u003Ciframe class=\u0022video__iframe bg-black w-full h-full absolute\u0022 title=\u0022A Precious Ballot\u0022 data-src=\u0022https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q8EgYLU-D38?rel=0;\u0026amp;autoplay=1;\u0026amp;enabljsapi=1\u0022 allow=\u0022accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\u0022 allowfullscreen=\u0022\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EThe UEC is required under international human rights obligations to ensure the right to vote for persons with disabilities. Burma ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on December 7, 2011, but continues to \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/answers.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office\/forum\/office_2010-word\/error-hyperlink-reference-not-valid-in-word-2010\/5d5cbf0b-2074-4ac4-ae08-c6eb63f4c51d?auth=1\u0022\u003Efall short\u003C\/a\u003E in upholding international standards. MILI told Human Rights Watch that the vast majority of MPs are unaware of the convention or Burma\u2019s obligations under it, including the provision on participation in political and public life. Article 29 guarantees the rights of persons with disabilities \u201cto vote by secret ballot in elections\u2026without intimidation,\u201d and calls on parties to ensure that \u0022voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003ENay Lin Soe voiced other concerns as election day draws near. According to the election laws, persons of \u201cunsound mind\u201d are ineligible to vote, denying people with psychosocial or intellectual disabilities the right to participate in public life, while giving poll workers a worrying platform for arbitrarily refusing voting access.\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed\u0022 data-type=\u0022quote\u0022\u003E\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022embed align-left embedded-entity embedded-entity-type-paragraph embedded-entity-bundle-pullquote embedded-entity-viewmode-embeddable embed--left\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \n \n \n\u003Cfigure class=\u0022pull-quote-block py-12 leading-tight max-w-xs mx-auto\u0022\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022pull-quote-block__quote md:text-2xl font-sans font-bold pl-10 md:pl-16 relative\u0022\u003E\n We don\u2019t expect 100 percent [accessibility].... We just want to have proper support and accessible conditions to where we can enjoy our rights.\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022pull-quote-block__quote-icon text-gray-400 absolute top-0 left-0 w-6 md:w-10\u0022\u003E\n \n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\u0022icon fill-current w-full inline-block\u0022\u003E\n \u003Csvg viewbox=\u00220 0 20 20\u0022 fill=\u0022currentColor\u0022 role=\u0022img\u0022 focusable=\u0022false\u0022 aria-hidden=\u0022true\u0022\u003E\u003Cuse xlink:href=\u0022\/themes\/custom\/hrw_design\/dist\/app-drupal\/assets\/spritemap.svg?cacheBuster=#sprite-quote-open\u0022\u003E\u003C\/use\u003E\u003C\/svg\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n \u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022pull-quote-block__credit font-sans mt-6 pl-10 md:pl-16\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022pull-quote-block__author text-sm md:text-lg font-bold\u0022\u003E\n \n \u003Cdiv\u003ENay Lin Soe\u003C\/div\u003E\n \n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022pull-quote-block__title text-xs md:text-sm\u0022\u003E\n \n \u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMyanmar Independent Living Initiative \u003C\/div\u003E\n \n \n \u003C\/figcaption\u003E\u003C\/figure\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile statistics on the turnout of voters with disabilities in prior elections aren\u2019t available, MILI\u2019s research suggests low numbers. \u201cMany people with disabilities are not so willing to vote, to involve themselves,\u201d he said. \u201cIn rural areas people are even less aware of their own rights, or of the voting procedures. They are afraid to ask if they don\u2019t understand. Most don\u2019t have proper assistive devices so they struggle to leave the house, to go to public places.\u201d Education and outreach efforts have helped somewhat, but have also revealed pockets of skepticism about the process.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EIn 2010 and 2012, people with disabilities were reportedly targets for the state\u2019s manipulation of advance voting processes, with local sub-commissioners encouraging them to vote in advance in order to stay home on election day. \u201cWe don\u2019t trust advance voting,\u201d a disability rights activist said. \u201cThe sub-election commissions can misuse ballots. Nobody can check, guarantee. There is no confidentiality.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u0026#13;\n\u003Cp\u003EIn June, the parliament approved a new National Disability Rights Law. Its by-laws, outlining the specific regulations to guide implementation and regulation, will be written by the next government. Their construction will impact millions of people across the country; on election day, they need to be able to show up and have their voices heard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026#13;\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n\u003C\/div\u003E\n","settings":null}]