A/RES/48/96 Page 22 their rights, including their human, civil and political rights, on an equal basis with other citizens. States must ensure that organizations of persons with disabilities are involved in the development of national legislation concerning the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as in the ongoing evaluation of that legislation. 2. Legislative action may be needed to remove conditions that may adversely affect the lives of persons with disabilities, including harassment and victimization. Any discriminatory provisions against persons with disabilities must be eliminated. National legislation should provide for appropriate sanctions in case of violations of the principles of non-discrimination. 3. National legislation concerning persons with disabilities may appear in two different forms. The rights and obligations may be incorporated in general legislation or contained in special legislation. Special legislation for persons with disabilities may be established in several ways: By enacting separate legislation, dealing exclusively with (a) disability matters; (b) topics; By including disability matters within legislation on particular (c) By mentioning persons with disabilities specifically in the texts that serve to interpret existing legislation. A combination of those different approaches might be desirable. action provisions may also be considered. Affirmative 4. States may consider establishing formal statutory complaints mechanisms in order to protect the interests of persons with disabilities. Rule 16. Economic policies States have the financial responsibility for national programmes and measures to create equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. 1. States should include disability matters in the regular budgets of all national, regional and local government bodies. 2. States, non-governmental organizations and other interested bodies should interact to determine the most effective ways of supporting projects and measures relevant to persons with disabilities. 3. States should consider the use of economic measures (loans, tax exemptions, earmarked grants, special funds, and so on) to stimulate and support equal participation by persons with disabilities in society. 4. In many States it may be advisable to establish a disability development fund, which could support various pilot projects and self-help programmes at the grass-roots level. Rule 17. Coordination of work /...