Maud de Boer-Buquicchio: End Disabled People's "Double Discrimination"

Governments must do more to prevent the “double discrimination” faced by Europe’s most vulnerable people with disabilities, said Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Maud de Boer-Buquicchio.

She urged governments to use the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) to make a firm commitment to those most in need.

Disability In Europe: Media, Business And NGO's Called To Action

Charities, media outlets, business and employers’ organisations have been urged to join a campaign to reinforce the impact of the Council of Europe’s Disabilities Action Plan.

Thomas Hammarberg Deplores "Inhuman" Treatment Of Disabled People In Institutions

“The prosecutor general in Bulgaria has initiated criminal investigations into 166 deaths and 30 more cases of abuse of children living in state homes for young people with mental disabilities.

"This was an important signal not only for the Bulgarian authorities but for several other states with similar old-style institutions for children or adults”, says Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg.

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Disabilities: Europe Must Do Better

Disabilities: Europe Must Do Better

Governments across Europe need to do more for disabled people, a meeting of disabilities experts will learn today.

They will review the mid-term results of the Council of Europe’s Disability Action Plan 2006-2015, at a behind closed doors two-day meeting in Strasbourg.

The intergovernmental human rights organisation acknowledges the progress made by its 47 member states in improving education, job training, employment and accessibility for disabled people since the plan was launched four years ago.

But it claims member states have been less successful in promoting greater political participation and community living of disabled people and in meeting the specific needs of particular groups that may face “double discrimination.”

The Council of Europe now wants governments to pay greater attention to women, children and migrants or refugees with disabilities, the elderly and sufferers of mental illness.

Member states are also encouraged to advance the “mainstreaming” and political participation of people with disabilities before the mandate of the action plan.

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