Diplomacy and disability

Key points

The EESC:

• underlines that the cornerstone of diplomacy with regard to combating discrimination against persons with disabilities is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which was adopted in 2006 and entered into force in 2008. The CRPD is the main international legal instrument protecting the rights of persons with disabilities; it lays down fundamental principles such as non-discrimination, full and effective participation in society, accessibility and equality of opportunity;
• welcomes the numerous measures adopted by the European Union since it signed the CRPD in 2011 to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal rights and opportunities;
• points out that the EU has also provided funds at European level to foster the inclusion of persons with disabilities in a range of areas: the social sphere, employment, education, health and culture;
• emphasises that the EU also worked with NGOs to develop and improve inclusive policies, collect accurate data and raise awareness about disability.
• points out that Sweden, Lithuania and Germany are among the European countries that seem to have done the most to transpose the CRPD and underlines that Poland is also making significant progress. Outside the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are among the countries that have done most to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities;
• recommends the adoption of action plans by the European Commission (both within and outside the EU) on all forms of disability, in line with those already in place for young people and gender equality;
• requests the Commission to work more closely with disabled people’s organisations, both in the context of international cooperation and as part of the EU’s humanitarian work: it will enhance its diplomacy and make it more effective;
• believes that every diplomatic delegation dealing with disability and agreements or treaties in which the rights of persons with disabilities may be affected should be obliged to bring at least one representative of a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) to UN meetings, at the expense of their respective countries. It is suggested to start with the Conference of States Parties (COSP);
• argues thar the EU could support this initiative via Team Europe, which at each COSP advocates a common position agreed by the 27 Member States. The aim is to formally designate disability focal points in each diplomatic delegation.