BAPDA Condemns Killing of Disabled Residents, Calls for Urgent Action

The Belize Association for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) has condemned what the association believes is a growing trend of violence against disabled persons. BAPDA notes that disabled persons cannot run or defend themselves in the face of violence, making them vulnerable.  The group notes that at least three persons who were bound to a wheelchair have been murdered within the past year. Noel Young, BAPDA’s Vice President, says the association is calling on authorities to do more to protect this vulnerable population. 

Noel Young, Vice President, BAPDA:  “On a personal note, me, it’s devastating. I believe our organization feels the same way.  It’s like a person with disability can’t get a break. The reason I say that is because we already are at a disadvantage, I would say, being that we have a special need one way or another. We can’t be safe in our own homes, in our communities, around the people that we love and care for because  society is different with this tragic outburst of gun violence. It’s been not just Lukey but in the past I think this is like the third person with disability that has been murdered within what the last two, three years?  On BAPDA’s part, we as an organization hope that the relative authorities would step in, would implement stiffer measures. I mean, a person with disabilities is already depleted in a sense and moreover they’re helpless. I mean, they can’t, if gunshots break out, they can’t run, they can’t, in Luke’s case, all the three victims were in wheelchairs. So they’re not able to run, they’re not able to defend themselves in any way, shape or form.”

According to Young, the association is appealing to the public to be more empathetic to persons with disabilities.