critical injuries they sustained during the wars and the prevailing conditions of their life demand considerable attention and interventions. The Government of Eritrea, families, communities, the Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) and the PWDs themselves continue to participate towards alleviating this major challenge. 343. The Government of Eritrea takes the respect, protection and fulfillment of equal rights and opportunities of the disabled as the viable way in mitigating their problems. This is anchored on the ideals of social justice and promotes human right, inclusive approaches and self-reliance of the disabled. The strong cultural basis and inherent values of cooperation in the society to the disabled is also an added value. The equal right and opportunity of the disabled is thus respected and protected through the established institutional and legal framework of the State and sanctioned by national laws. The PFDJ National Charter also aims to „create conditions in which veterans and handicapped people can be rehabilitated, become self-sufficient and contribute to the country‟s development.‟‟ 344. Furthermore, specific legislations aiming at improving the conditions of PWDs have also been implemented. The national effort has thus been to develop the self-confidence, selfrespect and self-esteem of PWDs. They also apply to all aspects of their life i.e. rights to health, education, employment, judicial justice property, marriage parenthood, etc. through established regulation and policies. The following are some of the important instruments:-  Proclamation No. 17/1991 for the collection of rehabilitation tax for the disabled freedom fighters, members of the families of the martyrs and those members of the society who sustain injury due to natural catastrophe  Proclamation No. 82/2004 grants full and partial assistance on customs duties for PWDs  Proclamation No. 3/1991 and Art 6 (civil code) also gives a general provision of interpreters to clients in court sessions  The labor proclamation has provisions to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. 345. A national policy on persons with disabilities reviewed and finalized through a consultative workshop of all stakeholders convened in May 2015 is also implemented extensively. It ensures the implementation of equal rights and opportunities and delineates the roles and responsibilities of all actors in advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. It also raised the common understanding of all sections of the society. PWDs also benefit from the privileges of affirmative action supported by Government legislations and policies. Hence, monitoring of all these instruments is done in collaboration with all sector ministries and national organizations. Functional and administrative measures are thus taken by the Government to rectify any violations in their proclaimed rights. The role of the various Eritrean Disabled Peoples‟ Organizations (DPO) in this respect is also strong. Page 88 of 100