The LITI-GATE project is a coalition of six organizations dedicated to safeguarding the rights of individuals with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities across the European Union.
Our mission is simple: to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights as everyone else. Through strategic litigation at the European Court, we aim to hold nations accountable for upholding these rights and advocate for fair legal protections.
Which organisations work on the project?
- Validity Alapitvany- Kozpont A Mentalis Serulek Jogaiert (Validity) from Hungary
- European Network On Independent Living Brussels Office (ENIL) from Belgium
- Fundatia Centrul De Resurse Juridice (CLR/CRJ) from Romania
- Forum Pro Lidska Prava, ZS (FORUM) from Czech Republic
- Kera Foundation (KERA) from Bulgaria
- Victim Support Europe AISBL (VSE) from Belgium
What is the purpose of the project?
In LITI-GATE, we use strategic litigation to bring lasting change to laws and policies that affect people with disabilities. Strategic litigation is when lawyers bring specific cases to the European Court to challenge unfair laws or practices. When the Court reviews these cases, it can encourage countries to change their laws to protect disability rights more effectively. This approach doesn’t just help the person involved in the case but can also improve rights and access for everyone in similar situations.
How will LITI-GATE achieve its goal?
LITI-GATE will achieve its goal by doing four main tasks:
- We will do research. We will hear about the experiences of people with disabilities and lawyers in Courts.
- We will create an accessible guide and materials for people with disabilities. This guide will help People with disabilities to:
– Access to justice
– Access to support services to understand what happened in Court. - We will offer training for lawyers, prosecutors and judges so they know the needs of people with disabilities.
- We will do activities to make people aware of the importance of defending the rights of people with disabilities.
How long is the LITI-GATE project?
The LITI-GATE project is two years long, from September 2023 to June 2025.
Who finances the LITI-GATE project?
The European Education and Culture Executive agency of the European Commission.
How can I participate?
- You can tell us about your experience in Court.
- We will help you during the interview.
- We will provide support so you can participate.