European Parliament adopts report on equal rights for persons with disabilities



European Parliament adopts report on equal rights for persons with disabilities

The European Parliament debated (on 12 December) and adopted on 13 December the report “Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities”.

Debate

The Rapporteur – MEP Anne-Sophie Pelletier (France/The Left), started presenting the document in French sign language before being told that there was no interpretation from French sign language and being directed to use another language. This was a clear demonstration of the barriers persons with disabilities still face and the lack of accessibility of daily life.

MEP Pelletier highlighted the importance of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She especially mentioned:

  • The need for deinstitutionalisation and to stop funding institutions;
  • The need to advance, and adopt, the Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive;
  • Banning forced sterilisation;
  • Participation in the political process;
  • Support in daily life and support to carers;
  • Access to justice.

MEP Jordi Cañas, on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, highlighted that there needs to be movement towards equality for persons with disabilities.

MEP Ulrike Müller, on behalf of the Petitions Committee, spoke about the need to ensure freedom for persons with disabilities and that it includes living where and with whom they want.

Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, took the floor to clarify that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “is our beacon”. She said living independently and being included in the community is a cornerstone of all rights. She added that accessibility is another cornerstone, an enabler of rights. On this topic, she highlighted the high ambition for the EU Disability Card. Commissioner Dalli closed her speech by highlighting the Commission’s wish to advance the negotiation of the Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive, highlighting the importance of reasonable accommodation and non-discriminatory access for persons with disabilities in this Directive.

Other speakers from the Disability Intergroup included MEP Katrin Langensiepen, who called for stronger steps to achieve freedom of movement – including the accessibility of transport and equal opportunities in the open labour market.

MEP Stellios Kympouroupolos denounced ongoing discrimination in all areas of life. He highlighted the need to ensure legal capacity despite of disability.

MEP Mónica Semedo shared her own struggles as a visually impaired person and the need to give the right to vote to persons with disabilities.

MEP Ádám Kósa shared the need to ensure equal pay for equal work.

MEP Rosa Estaràs Ferragut called for an accessible and inclusive society. She highlighted the need to fight stereotypes and the need for accessible housing.

Closing the debate, the Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli stated that she looks forward to cooperating to ensure the implementation of the EU Disability Rights Strategy and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Finally, MEP Pelletier called on the Commission to present a strong proposal on the EU Disability Card.

Key points of the report

In the text adopted by a wide majority (526 votes in favour, 10 against, and 83 abstentions), the European Parliament proposes measures addressing the social, legal, and political framework for disability rights.

The report calls for the adoption of several measures necessary to implement the rights of persons with disabilities:

  • The adoption of the horizontal health treatment directive
  • A reform of the European Electoral Law and more global reforms of political systems to ensure all persons with disabilities have the right to vote and stand for election
  • A legislative act to expand the EU Disability Card to cover a range of different areas beyond culture, leisure and sport
  • A revision of the Employment Directive, in particular as regards harmonised minimum standards for reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities
  • An implementation plan for disability-inclusive disaster risk management at EU level
  • The accession to the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women and domestic violence

Other issues addressed in the report:

  • Addressing the rights of persons with disabilities most a risk of violation of their rights, abuses and violence: intersectionality is at the core of the recommendations, with specific consideration to women and girls with disabilities, including when it comes to gender-based violence, and abuses such as forced contraception and forced sterilisation.
  • Equal recognition before the law: legal capacity and equal recognition before the law is another priority issue addressed by the report. The MEPs call on the Commission and Member States to reform their legal systems to abolish restrictions on the legal capacity of persons with disabilities and replace substituted decision-making regimes by supported decision-making.
  • Promoting inclusive education: the report highlights the importance of education and MEPs call on the Commission and Member States to take measures to facilitate access to and the enjoyment of inclusive, quality education, including e-learning and lifelong learning, for all learners with disabilities.
  • Ensuring quality and accessible healthcare: the obligation to provide equal access to quality and free or affordable healthcare services to persons with disabilities is also emphasised in the text of the report. MEPs refer to several EU measures and initiatives such as the EU Beating Cancer Plan and the Cross-Border Health Care Directive.

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