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European Parliament Resolution on UNCRPD

May 22, 2015

European Parliament, UN CRPD

On the 20^th May, the European Parliament conducted a plenary debate after which it adopted a resolution in which it expresses its strong support to the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). It was adopted with an overwhelming majority among the political parties.

The resolution states that the European Parliament should be fully involved in monitoring and implementing the UN Convention.

Through its resolution, the European Parliament supports the adoption of two key pieces of legislation: the European Accessibility Act and the General Antidiscrimination Directive; both pieces of legislation are essential part of implementing the UN Convention.

As a party to the UN Convention, the EU should also ensure that all its external actions foster the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities through their representative organisations.

What do we now expect from the Parliament?

1 – Parliament should fully establish the Cross-Committee Network on the implementation of the CRPD, with an ambitious mandate to stimulate and guarantee a consistent CRPD implementation across key Parliamentary Committees. This Cross-Committee Network must closely involve persons with disabilities through their representative organisations.

2 – The European Parliament should also fully respect the UN Convention when it acts as a public administration, creating an inclusive work environment, making its meetings, communication and procedures fully accessible to persons with disabilities etc.

3 – The European Parliament to keep the rights of persons with disabilities high on its agenda. The UN CRPD Committee will issue its recommendations to the EU in September. These recommendations should serve as a basis for disability policy in the EU and its Member States for the coming months and years. EDF calls on the European Parliament to organise another consultation of the disability movement, followed by another plenary session on this topic.

See more on the EDF website:

http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13855&thebloc=34299