On International Day of Persons with Disabilities GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer calls on the European institutions and member state governments to take swift action to implement the UN Disability Rights Convention.

“Persons with disabilities are disproportionally likely to live in poverty and face social exclusion, and this situation has only been worsened as a result of austerity measures,” she said.

Zimmer continued: “The European Parliament must bring pressure to bear on EU leaders to put in place concrete measures to implement the UN Disability Rights Convention. This includes an ambitious legislative proposal for a European Accessibility Act, ensuring the opportunity for equal participation in the European elections, and actively involving persons with disabilities in decision-making processes on policies that concern them.”

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our societies from the crisis such as persons with disabilities should be a top priority.”

In June, along with leaders from the other main political groups in the Parliament, President Zimmer signed a Declaration that called for strong action to support the rights of persons with disabilities in Europe.

You can read the Declaration here.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group