People with disabilities continue to suffer humiliation and the violation of their rights

 

Statement by Christos Christofias, member of the Central Committee of AKEL, on the occasion of today’s General Assembly of the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind

25 June 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The Republic of Cyprus has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities since 2011. However, very little is being done to bring Cyprus into compliance with the recommendations specified in the Convention.

According to figures released by the European Statistical Office, Cyprus ranks third from the bottom of the table with regards the provision of benefits to people with disabilities among EU countries. The poverty rate among people with disabilities is 70% higher than the average. Disabled people continue to experience suffering, delays, humiliation and the violation of their rights.

Almost seven years after the government announced the creation of new, separate legislation for people with disabilities, policies to support them continue to be embedded in ineffective policies of the type applied for the Minimum Guaranteed Income.

As AKEL, we believe that a unified legislative framework is imperative for a substantial and practical contribution to the efforts seeking to ensure dignified living conditions, to eliminate exclusion and eradicate discrimination, and to integrate them into every aspect of our political, social, economic and cultural life.