Human Rights

Focus on Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (โ€˜the CRPDโ€™) is the first legally binding instrument to give explicit recognition to the right of people with disabilities to live and participate in the community. Article 19 of the CRPD recognises the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to othersโ€™ and requires States to โ€˜take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the communityโ€™. Much more needs to be done to make this a reality for people with disabilities in Europe.

The European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL) today publishes its report: Focus Report on Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which sets out the key steps for implementing the right to live in the community. It provides detailed commentary on Article 19, including its huge potential to bring about change to the lives of people with disabilities in Europe and possible challenges in achieving such change. The Report suggests specific actions that national, regional and local governments, the European Community and the Council of Europe should take to give effect to this right. It aims to assist individuals and organisations involved in promoting, implementing and monitoring the CRPD, such as policy makers, organisations of people with disabilities and service providers.

John Evans, one of the founders of ECCL, said: โ€˜More than 1.2 million disabled in Europe are still segregated in residential institutions. Article 19 makes it clear that by putting disabled people in institutions, Governments are violating our human rights. It is crucial that action is taken NOW to ensure that like other citizens, we can be a part of society and can regain control over our lives.โ€™

No one should be forced to live in an institution because of the lack of alternative services in the community. Article 19 places an obligation on the Governments and the European institutions to accelerate progress towards community living in Europe, and ensure that people with disabilities can live and participate in the community as equal citizens.

The Focus Report will be launched on 14 September 2009 at the European conference on the CRPD and Independent Living in Strasbourg, as a part of this yearโ€™s Freedom Drive, organised by the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL). A copy of the report is available on ECCLโ€™s website at www.community-living.info or by writing to coordinator@community-living.info.

Download: Word Document: Focus on Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (0 KB)
By: The European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL)
When: 7/2/2014

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