On Tuesday 23 May, the European Disability Forum (EDF) organised the fifth edition of the European Parliament for People with Disabilities. This was an opportunity for people with disabilities not only to interact with MEPs and Commissioners, but also to adopt a manifesto for the 2024 European elections.
More inclusion
“United in diversity means that everyone must get the opportunity to get involved in our European project”, said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in her opening remarks. Together with the EDF chairman, Yannis Vardakastanis, she encouraged the EU and its members to continue their efforts on inclusion. Both also renewed their call to the European Commission to unveil its proposal for a European disability card (see EUROPE 13083/6).
Towards the 2024 elections
Finally, both stressed the importance of next year’s European elections, calling on Member States to ensure that all can vote and on those concerned to exercise their right to vote or even to stand.
Indeed, at this meeting, the EDF adopted a manifesto for the elections. In particular, it calls on the EU to: - ensure the public and political participation of people with disabilities; - mobilise the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to promote their inclusion, including within the EU institutions; - promote a more social Europe; - allow the free movement of people with disabilities within the Union; - protect people with disabilities from third countries.
The manifesto: https://aeur.eu/f/70k
The European Commissioners for Transparency, Věra Jourová, Equality, Helena Dalli, and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, also attended the event, highlighting the current progress made by the Commission while renewing their commitment. For example, the institution intends to present a guide to independent living for people with disabilities by the end of the year (see EUROPE 13176/23) or to include provisions for their political participation in the democracy package (see EUROPE 13162/11). (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)