Adoption of the resolution of the WHO 72nd Regional Committee on the ‘WHO European framework for action to achieve the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities 2022–2030’

To: Helena Dalli – European Commissioner for Equality

Tel Aviv, Israel 12th September 2022

Ref. EDF-22-38

Dear Commissioner,

I am writing to you today on an urgent matter concerning the right to health for persons with disabilities in the European Region.  The World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe has developed this framework which will be adopted at its Regional Committee meeting in Tel Aviv on Tuesday September 13th; the accompanying political resolution is co-sponsored by a range of countries and the European Disability Forum. The European disability movement was extensively consulted in the process of developing the Framework which will contribute to advancing the right to the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities in Europe, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Last week the European Union has put forward additional amendments which you will find in italics in the attachment: PP14 alt. We understand that these amendments will result in the Resolution not being adopted and therefore I would ask you if the European Union can withdraw these recent amendments and revert to the original text which had been agreed. EDF is fully committed to the paragraph concerning sexual and reproductive rights, and we are convinced that issues of intersectional forms of discrimination are covered well in the original resolution.

I would like to also take this opportunity to thank you again for all that you are doing to advance equality within the European Union and for everything you can do to help us ensure that this resolution will be adopted this week.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this.

Yours sincerely,

Yannis Vardakastanis ,          

President,  European Disability Forum