election-watch.eu

Madrid, 21 September 2023: The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU invited the Working Party on General Affairs to an informal in-person meeting on electoral participation of persons with disabilities to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid. The Brussels based diplomats of all 27 EU Member States examine the legislative proposals by the European Commission in its field of expertise that are sent to the General Affairs Council, which consists of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs.  

Despite article 22 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union, the universal ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the EU and all Member States, persons with disabilities still face legal and practical barriers hindering their enfranchisement in EU elections depending on the country they live in. The different voting systems at national level, as well as the wide and heterogeneous community of person with disabilities pose a multilevel policy challenge for the EU and Member States to ensure that EU citizens can enjoy equal political rights, regardless of disability and place of residence. 

The Spanish EU Presidency invited Alejandro Moledo, Deputy Director of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and Armin Rabitsch from Election-Watch.EU besides Spanish representatives from Disabled Persons Organisations to present their findings and recommendations. Also Alba Romero, from the Spanish Directorate for Domestic Policy and Electoral Matters of the Ministry of Interior presented good electoral practices for persons with disabilities in elections. 

In 2021/2022 Election Election-Watch.EU had conducted a comparative analysis of inclusion and accessibility rights of person with disabilities in the European elections for EDF, which resulted in the  EDF Human Rights Report 2022 – political participation of persons with disabilities: the right to vote and stand for election.

EU Working Party on General Affairs in Madrid & resource persons

Alejandro Moledo, Deputy Director European Disability Forum

Pictures (c) Jose Ramon Ladra

2024 EP elections, equality, persons with disability