Beirut: Minister of Culture Dr. Ghassan Salam sponsored the launch of the "Right to Heritage: From International Commitment to Inclusive National Legislation" initiative, organized by the "Silat for Culture" Association at the National Library in Sanayeh. The launch coincided with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and International Human Rights Day. The event was attended by several notable figures including Maya Hamidan, Annemarie Afif, Joseph Kreidi, Dr. Asaad Seif, and representatives from civil society and human rights organizations.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, this initiative aligns with Lebanon's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. Minister Salam emphasized the Ministry of Culture's commitment to promoting human rights by making the library a place for dialogue and acknowledgment of responsibility for past grievances, such as the port explosion. He underscored the importance of integrating accessibility into heritage sites and museums, emphasizing the need for a legal framework to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Salam highlighted the establishment of the National Museums Authority to standardize museum designations and ensure accessibility as a condition for museum status. He urged collaboration with UNESCO and relevant associations to secure funding for implementing accessibility improvements.
Maya Hamidan, president of the "Silat" Association, stressed the intrinsic link between heritage and human dignity, calling for the removal of barriers to access. She advocated for collaboration with disability organizations to formulate inclusive recommendations.
Silvana Laqis, head of the Lebanese Federation for People with Physical Disabilities, expressed the Federation's support for the initiative and urged organizations to advocate for heritage rights alongside other human rights.
The event also featured personal testimonies from individuals with disabilities, highlighting the challenges they face in accessing cultural sites, reinforcing the need for the initiative.