MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Concerns about the absence of a commissioner for equality, and the future for the rights of people with disabilities – E-001978/2024(ASW)

The Commission will continue to uphold and strengthen the Union of Equality during this mandate. This concerns the rights of persons with disabilities as well as other aspects of equality.

The mission letter of the Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management[1] outlines concrete first steps for each equality area.

On the rights of persons with disabilities, the Commissioner highlighted her commitment in her written answers to the European Parliament: ‘If confirmed, one of my early priorities would be to close the remaining gaps and contribute to a barrier-free Europe for persons with disabilities. Key areas for attention will continue to be employment, independent living, accessibility, and mainstreaming of disability considerations across all policy areas’.

The combination of equality and the crisis management and preparedness portfolios can lead to positive synergies, helping ensure that no one is left behind in times of crisis, in particular persons with disabilities.

Moreover, the Commission will continue to mainstream equality. This is also enabled by the designation of equality contact points in the cabinets of each Member of the College.

Persons with disabilities have the right to live independently and to participate in society on an equal basis to others[2]. The Commission will keep working towards this objective within the framework of the strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030[3] and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities[4].

The Commission will present a progress report on the implementation of the strategy to date. It will be presented to the European Parliament, Member States and civil society organisations.

• [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/faaf33ff-c8c7-49a1-b01d-56681e11a5e6_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20LAHBIB.pdf
• [2] I ncluding in education and the labour market.
• [3] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-social-inclusion/persons-disabilities/union-equality-strategy-rights-persons-disabilities-2021-2030_en
• [4] https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/social-protection-social-inclusion/persons-disabilities/united-nations-convention-rights-persons-disabilities_en