Cap. 413 Art. 24Council for the Rights of Persons with Disability.

(1) There shall be a Council for the Rights of Persons with Disability appointed by the Minister, to aid the Commissioner in the exercise of his duties, made up of the Commissioner who shall preside and not less than fourteen members appointed by the

Minister.

(2) Amongst the Council members, who shall represent different types of disability and be representative of society, there shall be:

(a) nine members who are representative of voluntary organisations of persons with disability, after consultation with those voluntary organisations;

(b) a member who is a representative of the University of Malta;

(c) a member who is a representative of the entities which provide services to persons with disability;

(d) a member who is a representative of residential homes for persons with disability;

(e) a member nominated by the Government; and

(f) a member nominated by the Opposition: So however that at least half of the total number of members of the Council shall be persons with disability or family members of persons with disability who cannot represent themselves.

(3) Together with the Commissioner and the members of the Council there shall be appointed, as observers, competent officers by every Ministry who may from time to time be called upon by the Commissioner to assist him in his work, so however that the Commissioner may recommend particular officers for this scope.

(4) A person shall not be qualified to be a member on the Council if that person:

(a) is serving as a judge or magistrate; or

(b) is bankrupt, or has made an arrangement with his creditors, or is insolvent or guilty of a voluntary offence against the person; or

(c) has been found guilty of an offence which impinges on public trust or theft or fraud, or knowingly received property acquired through theft or fraud, or an offence against the good order of the family, or the breach of a provision of this Act or of the Convention; or

(d) is not capable to perform his duties.

(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-article (6), the members of the Council shall hold such position for three years, and shall be eligible for reappointment as members when the period of such office terminates.

(6) A member may at any time resign from his office by writing to the Minister.

(7) A member may at any time be removed or suspended from office by the Commissioner as a result of:

(a) proven inability to perform his functions as member of the Council; or

(b) proven misbehaviour; or

(c) unjustified absence for more than three consecutive meetings; or

(d) if, being a chosen member due to his representative state, he stops from holding that representative state; or

(e) in the case of the happening of one of the circumstances provided for under sub-article (4).