antiquity
12-11-2002, 05:08 AM
Afghan disabled stage demonstration, seek benefits
KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Several hundred disabled Afghans demonstrated in Kabul Monday, demanding President Hamid Karzai increase their social benefits.
The group of about 300 protesters, including women and children, moved on crutches and wheelchairs through the center of the capital before stopping outside the heavily guarded presidential palace.
With 800,000 disabled out of a population of 23 million, the war-torn country has the highest percentage of disabled people in the world. Many lost limbs in accidents involving mines, millions of which lay hidden after 23 years of war and occupation.
The peaceful march coincided with a Cabinet meeting at which the government said it would increase benefits it pays through the Ministry for the Disabled and Martyrs to 400,000 registered disabled people.
The protesters had warned they would continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.
"In the past, they used to receive 100,000 afghanis ($2) a month and a committee was set up at the Cabinet meeting to increase privileges," said Karzai's spokesman, Sayed Fazl Akbar.
"We are talking about several million dollars a month now only for the Disabled and Martyrs' Ministry."
Like many other Afghan government ministries, the Ministry for the Disabled and Martyrs suffers from chronic underfunding and performs little more than a symbolic role.
Some disabled people also receive help from international aid agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"We are in a desperate condition," said one of the demonstrators.
A separate group of Afghan disabled are on a world tour to campaign against land mines.
Monday's demonstration came weeks after students clashed with police in Kabul over poor living conditions at Kabul University. At least two students were shot and killed in that demonstration.
12/09/02 10:56 ET
KABUL, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Several hundred disabled Afghans demonstrated in Kabul Monday, demanding President Hamid Karzai increase their social benefits.
The group of about 300 protesters, including women and children, moved on crutches and wheelchairs through the center of the capital before stopping outside the heavily guarded presidential palace.
With 800,000 disabled out of a population of 23 million, the war-torn country has the highest percentage of disabled people in the world. Many lost limbs in accidents involving mines, millions of which lay hidden after 23 years of war and occupation.
The peaceful march coincided with a Cabinet meeting at which the government said it would increase benefits it pays through the Ministry for the Disabled and Martyrs to 400,000 registered disabled people.
The protesters had warned they would continue their demonstrations until their demands were met.
"In the past, they used to receive 100,000 afghanis ($2) a month and a committee was set up at the Cabinet meeting to increase privileges," said Karzai's spokesman, Sayed Fazl Akbar.
"We are talking about several million dollars a month now only for the Disabled and Martyrs' Ministry."
Like many other Afghan government ministries, the Ministry for the Disabled and Martyrs suffers from chronic underfunding and performs little more than a symbolic role.
Some disabled people also receive help from international aid agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross.
"We are in a desperate condition," said one of the demonstrators.
A separate group of Afghan disabled are on a world tour to campaign against land mines.
Monday's demonstration came weeks after students clashed with police in Kabul over poor living conditions at Kabul University. At least two students were shot and killed in that demonstration.
12/09/02 10:56 ET