The Organization for Social Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) released a set of recommendations on the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in political and public life, also referred to as the Dublin Recommendations, on 3 December.
The recommendations were released by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). They provide guidance and direction for the OSCE’s member countries, including their parliaments, lawmakers, political parties, and election management bodies. They reflect the commitments OSCE’s member states have made to ensure all those with disabilities can take part in political and public life.
The recommendations include goals to:
- Enact inclusive legislation
- Identify and remove barriers to political participation – including legal and accessibility barriers
- Provide accessible information and support mechanisms
- Consider gender-sensitive and intersectional representation
- Invest in training programmes and awareness
- Encourage political parties to actively promote the representation of persons with disabilities internally and as candidates in election
- Enhance data collection and reporting, especially disaggregated data
- Consult with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations
- Implement inclusive electoral processes, from voter education and campaigning to voting and election monitoring
- Encourage international cooperation focused on political participation.
Pat Clarke, EDF’s Vice President and member of the ODIHR’s Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, said:
I welcome the OSCE ODIHR Dublin recommendations as they provide a clear and unambiguous guide for political parties, politicians even, as well as election management bodies and electoral commissions on how to ensure that more people with disabilities get involved in the political process.
The release of the recommendations comes ahead of June 2024’s European elections. They call for a range of actions that will put the systems in place to support and mobilise persons with disabilities in their right to participate in diverse forms of political action. This includes, for instance, voter education and registration, campaigning, voting, election monitoring and results tabulation, post-election assessments, and reform processes.
EDF welcomes the Dublin Recommendations as a guide for policymakers and government bodies in upholding the rights of persons with disabilities during the electoral process.
The OSCE comprises 57 participating states from Europe, Central Asia and North America. They are a wide-reaching organisation promoting security and cooperation from a range of perspectives, including human rights, democratisation and counter-terrorism.