4.2 National disability law The Government submitted to the Parliament a bill on protecting the rights of persons with disabilities on 20 July 2009. According to the President’s Office, this bill was proposed to set the government’s policy under Article 35 of the constitution. The bill submitted by the Government was proposed to establish the essential legal framework for all support and services provided to persons with disabilities. The key features of the proposed bill included: • creating a council to protect the rights of persons with disabilities with its members to be appointed by the president and entrusted with compiling a national database on persons with disabilities, protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, overseeing monitoring centres and formulating guidelines for their operation, addressing complaints and compiling an annual report; • providing financial assistance of a minimum of Rf 2,000 a month for persons with disabilities by the government (no ceiling is set); • giving special protection to persons with disabilities in work places and prevent- • establishing a special educational centre for persons with disabilities; • providing free education for children with disabilities up to the age of 18; • establishing facilities for children with disabilities in all government schools, and no child shall be denied an education due to a disability; • punishing persons found guilty of harassing or mocking persons with disabilities with a fine of between Rf 5,000 and Rf 10,000; and • enabling access for persons with disabilities at public places, such as supermarkets and parks. ACTIVITIES ADDRESSING RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ing discrimination against them in the provision of employment; ... 33