Following on from the work related to European Disability Rights Week in the European Parliament, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) dedicated a discussion to “the rights, freedoms and remaining gaps in the protection of persons with disabilities in the EU”.
Natalia Guala Beathyate, a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has – based on regular reports and recommendations (https://docs.un.org/en/CRPD/C/EU/CO/2-3 ) aiming to “improve implementation of the Convention” (the 2006 CRPD on the rights of persons with disabilities, which was ratified by the European Union) – raised the point that although progress has admittedly been made under the European Disability Strategy for 2021–2030, several areas still have plenty of room for improvement, including education, employment, access to healthcare, independent living, and “access to all services”.
Most importantly, free movement has emerged as a major concern.
According to Natalia Guala Beathyate, the European disability card, which was adopted at the end of 2024 (see EUROPE 13503/27), is an “important and fundamental” step, but – for people who travel on a long-term basis for personal, professional, or educational reasons in particular – its progress remains limited.
She has thus called for an unreserved recognition of disability as well as for the adoption of legislative measures that support harmonising rights and social benefits in all EU countries.
To this end, she affirmed, “This is essential so that these 6 million disabled individuals can enjoy the same conditions as other citizens”. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)