Our Right, Our Vote! Disabling legal barriers to political participation of people with disabilities in the EU
Are you disabled and interested in voting or entering politics as a candidate by running for office? In 2024, the European Union will hold elections to select Members of the European Parliament across all 27 EU Member States.
The European Parliament is the only democratically-elected body of the EU, and MEPs have an important role in ensuring peace, stability, the rule of law and prosperity across the continent and around the world.
At a time when Europeans and the EU itself are facing multiple challenges, the 2024 elections are a critical opportunity for electors across the continent to select candidates who represent the diversity of European cultures, traditions, languages and political views.
Political processes must be inclusive of persons with disabilities. And yet, millions of persons with disabilities continue to face legal, institutional and accessibility barriers, denying them the right to take part in the democratic process.
- The European Economic and Social Committee has estimated that 400,000 persons with disabilities were excluded from the last European elections in 2019 because they were placed under guardianship.
- Research shows that many EU countries have inaccessible systems relating to registration, voting and standing as candidates.
- Over 7 million people with intellectual disabilities in Europe face informational and communicational barriers in participating in political processes.
- Women with disabilities and people forced to live in institutions are often denied the right to vote.
The European Network on Independent Living (ENIL), the Validity Foundation and Covington & Burling LLP are announcing a major legal initiative to challenge barriers to political participation in the courts.
Are you a European citizen with a disability who:
- Is under guardianship and cannot vote or stand for election?
- Experiences problems in registering to vote?
- Lives in an institution and have no support in getting politically active?
- Lacks support to get involved in European politics?
- Has been stopped from registering to vote or standing as a candidate?
Then, please get in touch with our legal team at vote@validity.ngo
If you are looking for more information on the topic, we are offering a webinar which will take place on October the 3d from 14:00 – 15:00. You will find further information here. [FS1]
[FS1]Link will be included once the webinar agenda is published
