Covid 19, Human Rights
Important decision by the European Parliament on the rights of people with disabilities – ETR
Press Release by Inclusion Europe
On July 8th, the European Parliament approved a decision
in defence of rights of people with intellectual disabilities
in times of COVID-19 crisis.
This decision is based on a petition from Inclusion Europe.
The petition calls for measures that protect
people with intellectual disabilities
during and after the COVID-19 emergency.
During the COVID-19 emergency,
several European countries
did not respect the rights
of people with intellectual disabilities.
For example, there has been
medical discrimination in hospitals.
It means that people with disabilities
could not have access to healthcare.
The European Parliament approved the resolution by
- 682 votes in favour,
- 3 against,
- 10 non-voting.
The European Parliament recalls that
post-coronavirus measures must be compatible withthe European Charter of Fundamental Rights,
describing all the rights of being a human in Europe;
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The European Parliament also requests that
all information about COVID-19 are:
easy-to-read, and
easy-to-understand.
Jyrki Pinomaa is the President of Inclusion Europe.
He is very happy about the decision of the European Parliament.
He appreciates that the European Parliament reassured
people with intellectual disabilities and their families about
their rights to have access to healthcare.
Helen Portal is the Policy Officer of Inclusion Europe.
She said that this vote is important to
address the harm and damage done
to people with intellectual disabilities.
Click here to find more information
about their petition.
