Polish Senator and Disability Rights Defender Marek Plura passed away



Polish Senator and Disability Rights Defender Marek Plura passed away

It is with great sadness that we have learned that Senator Marek Plura passed away last Saturday, the 21st of January. As a former member of the European Parliament and Vice-chair of the Disability Intergroup, Marek Plura was a committed defender of disability rights in Poland and at the European level. 

Alicja Majewska-Galeziak and Magdalena Rygalska, his former head of office and accredited assistants, wrote a biography highlighting the tireless social rights fighter he was.

Marek Plura’s life and work

Marek Plura at the European Parliament, holding the best MEP award 2019
Marek Plura at the European Parliament, holding the best MEP award 2019 – Photo from Marek Plura website.

Marek Plura was happily married to Ewa and he was the father of Maria and Beniamin. They lived in Katowice, Poland. 

He graduated from pedagogical studies at the Higher School of Philosophy and Pedagogy “Ignatianum” in Krakow, as well as from postgraduate studies in psychotherapy at the University of Silesia in Katowice.   

He was a graphic artist and a poet. 

He was the founder of the Association “Dobry Dom” and the President of the Silesian Association of Education and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities “Akcent”, as well as the Chairman of the Program Council of the Integration and Bibliotherapeutic Department of the Silesian Library.   

Marek Plura was a laureate of many awards and competitions, including “Karol Miarka” for outstanding contribution to culture, honorary diploma of the chapters of the “Piękniej Polska” Foundation, “Man Without Barriers” 2004, Icebreaker Special, Order of the Smile, MEP Awards 2019: MEP of the year in the field of Employment, Social and Regional Policy. 

From 2007 to 2014 he was a Member Polish Parliament (Sejm). From 2014 to 2019 Member of the European Parliament. From 2019 to 2023 a Member of Polish Parliament (Senat). 

He actively contributed to Poland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was ratified in September 2012. 

While exercising his mandate in the European Parliament, he seated in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the Committee on Transport and Tourism. He also served as a Vice -chair of the Disability Intergroup and organized and participated in numerous events on the rights of people with disabilities.

He was a Member of the Civic Platform of the Republic of Poland and the Group of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament.

Tributes from the disability rights community and Members of the European Parliament

Dr. Ádám Kósa, Member of the European Parliament and Disability Intergroup, Hungary, said:  

A true friend is gone. We had countless joint motions and events in five years in the European Parliament, we could always count on each other. He always carried his confinement to his electric wheelchair with dignity and serenity, yet he was generally the most optimistic and kindest person of all of us.  He was one of the most committed advocates of the disability cause.
The saying “Polish and Hungarian are two good friends” really made sense in our case. Thanks for everything, Marek. God be with you, rest in peace!

 

Olga Sehnalová, former Member of the European Parliament and former co-chair of the Disability Intergroup, Czech Republic, said: 

Marek was a dear colleague to me.  It has been always honour working with him on various files, hearings, and other activities to promote the rights of people with disabilities. I enjoyed having many possibilities for common work. I will remember Marek as a highly trustworthy and knowledgeable colleague respected for his deep expertise and understanding of the real impact of intended measures, always open-minded and positive in searching for the best achievable solutions to improve the real daily life of people with disabilities, those he was greatly representing with dignity, pride and also with a smile. Marek was unique and will be missed very much.

 

Jaroslaw Duda, Member of the European Parliament and Disability Intergroup, Poland, said: 

Today we paid last respects to Marek Plura, my dear friend.
Marek was the personification of engagement, positive attitude and kindness.  He accepted the burdens associated with his disability with humble. He overcame everyday life barriers without fears; always smiling.
All of his life was devoted to working for others. He was a role model and inspiration for many people.  I have learned a lot from him.  I will miss his friendship, sense of humour, and optimism.

 

Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the Disability Intergroup, Spain, said:

Normally you meet people who forget you. You forget people you meet. Nevertheless, sometimes you meet those people you cannot forget and Marek was one of them. Positive, attentive and kind. Certainly, Marek was well surrounded by colleagues that appreciated the effort of the work he did at the European Parliament and in particular in the European Disability Intergroup.
His willingness to fight for better conditions and rights for the community showed his vocation to the public service, trying to improve everyone’s life. We will truly miss you, Marek. Rest in peace and God bless you.

 

Cover image credit: © European Union 2018 – Source : EP