A delegation from the European disability movement met Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob on 10 May, on the occasion of the European Disability Forum’s General Assembly in Slovenia. The delegation, led by our President Yannis Vardakastanis and the Slovenian National Disability Council’s President Mateja Toman, discussed how Slovenia could fulfil its commitment to disability rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The President of the European Disability Forum started by congratulating the Slovenian government on the recent change of law, which will allow all persons with disabilities to have the same electoral rights as persons without disabilities.
The President also congratulated Slovenia on it’s 20th anniversary has an EU member.
The delegations then focused on how Slovenia could build on this advance by tackling pressing issues such as:
- EU Cohesion policy and funding: the delegation asked the Prime Minister to advocate for continuing a strong cohesion policy and guarantee that the EU Budget for cohesion is enhanced.
- European Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee: President Vardakastanis presented our Manifesto for the European elections, emphasising the demand for a European Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee.
- Funding for civil society organisations: The delegations emphasised to the Prime Minister that funding organisations of persons with disabilities—through EU and national funds—is essential to guaranteeing the sustainable advancement of our rights.
- Freedom of movement and transport: The delegation congratulated Slovenia on its successful participation in the European Disability Card pilot project and called for the assurance of inclusive and accessible urban transport.
- Council of the EU: the delegation
Participants concluded the meeting by underlining the importance of creating a Disability Rights Strategy for Slovenia.
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, said:
Slovenia has made important contributions to disability rights in the EU, its participation in the European Disability Card project being just an example. I relayed to the prime minister that organisations of persons with disabilities should be considered public interest organisations, with appropriate funding and involvement.
Mateja Toman, President of the Slovenian National Disability Council, said:
Organisations of persons with disabilities significantly contribute to the implementation of disability rights and inclusion. We appreciate that the Prime Minister recognized our role by establishing a focal group in 2022 as a place for regular collaboration between the Government and the Slovenian National Disability Council.
Meeting the Slovenian Advocate for the principle of equality
The delegation also met Miha Lobnik, the Slovenian Advocate for the principle of equality. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted the essential role of equality bodies in protecting persons with disabilities against discrimination.
Participants discussed how European legislation can support the Advocates’ work on equality rights:
- The adoption of the Directive on minimum standards for equality bodies will guarantee that these bodies ensure accessibility and reasonable accommodation.
- The importance of involving organisations of persons with disabilities in the work of the equality bodies.
- Importance of enforcement of EU directives.
- Common funding needs.
- The need to coordinate the protection of persons at the intersection of discrimination and the various EU strategies developed to address discrimination.
The ongoing advocacy of the movement for an EU Equal Treatment Directive.