Three organisations promoting the rights of people with disabilities (ENIL, CIL Sofia and Validity) announced on Friday 15 November that they had brought a case before the General Court (Case T-613/19) challenging a decision by the European Commission not to suspend EU funding for Bulgaria.
This involves co-financing of €18 million from the European Regional Development Fund for a large number of institutions (almost 70) dedicated to the elderly and disabled (see EUROPE 12191/24).
However, for the NGOs, these institutions maintain discriminatory practices, social exclusion and even "segregation" of the groups concerned. Having not obtained a suspension by the managing authorities, the NGOs then turned to the European Commission to suspend funding.
Having been refused by the institution, the NGOs are now turning to the General Court, according to the statement. The aim is to ensure compliance with the common obligations of the EU and Bulgaria under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ("CRPD"). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)