E-newspaper starts campaigns for rights of ‘special needs’ citizens

Parliament Speaker, info minister take part in event

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 19, (KUNA): The Alamal Voluntary Electronic Newspaper Group, which mainly targets people of special challenges and covers their issues, has launched a campaign dubbed “tara egdar” (sure I can) aimed at demonstrating support for this segment of the Kuwaiti community on long term basis.

The media group founder, Abdullah Al-Shemmari, said in an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the campaign aims at supporting people of special needs, particularly in cases where their rights are breached or their special facilities are exploited, occupied or tampered with by the others.

The handicapped rights should be safeguarded as stipulated by Kuwait Constitution and the laws, said AlShemmari, calling for harshest possible penalties against violators. The relevant laws must be enforced to the letter, so that the disabled can practice their activities freely and without any harassment, he stressed.

Up to 150 eminent figures, including the Parliament Speaker, the Information Minister and Al-Farwaniah Governor, have taken part in the campaign, with the intention to aid this segment of the society and nudge the concerned officials shoulder their responsibilities in this respect.

The campaign, due to proceed till end of this month, has grouped a large number of people of special challenges, their families, activists, supporters, art and sports celebrities, he said, adding that it also aims at supporting the families and encouraging them demonstrate skills and talents of their dear ones.

Alamal electronic newspaper was founded in 2009 with aim of serving this segment and aiding them to be as able as other citizens in serving the society.

The newspaper was honored by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah with Al-Subah Award (first place) in 2009. It was also honored with the Diamond Award, presented by Burgan Bank as the best voluntary group that serves people with special needs in 2011.

It came in third place in the best electronic containment in Kuwait electronic Award by the Kuwait Center for the Advancement of Science in 2012. In the same year, it received the Sharjah Award for voluntary work as the best voluntary group in the Arab world.