# CE2004078EN.01029001.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/290 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/290

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(2004/C 78 E/0290)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3480/03

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject:   Civil rights of disabled people

Subject:

Can the Commission outline what measures it is taking to progress the civil rights of disabled people?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2004)

(6 January 2004)

Articles 21 and 26 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union makes specific reference to the rights of people with disabilities.

Community action for people with disabilities follows a rights based approach aiming at achieving equal opportunities. The various measures undertaken by the Commission thus contribute directly or indirectly to the protection and promotion of the rights of people with disabilities. The Commission's Communication ‘Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European Action Plan (1)’ reflects this approach.

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More specifically, the rights of people with disabilities are directly concerned in relation to a number of Community measures:

| — | In the area of anti-discrimination, Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty is the basis for taking ‘appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.’ The Article is not specially designed for people with disabilities but takes a horizontal approach with regard to measures against discrimination. Within this framework, the Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (2) as well as Council Decision 2000/750/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001 to 2006) were adopted (3). The Commission intends to launch a public consultation (Green Paper) in Spring 2004 on the future strategy to combat discrimination. |
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In the area of anti-discrimination, Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty is the basis for taking ‘appropriate action to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.’ The Article is not specially designed for people with disabilities but takes a horizontal approach with regard to measures against discrimination. Within this framework, the Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (2) as well as Council Decision 2000/750/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a Community action programme to combat discrimination (2001 to 2006) were adopted (3). The Commission intends to launch a public consultation (Green Paper) in Spring 2004 on the future strategy to combat discrimination.

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| — | The Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (4) stipulates in Article 2 its objectives as — inter alia — ‘to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities to protection against discrimination and to full and equal enjoyment of their rights.’ |
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The Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (4) stipulates in Article 2 its objectives as — inter alia — ‘to raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities to protection against discrimination and to full and equal enjoyment of their rights.’

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| — | Through its Communication ‘Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities’ (5), the Commission has underlined its support for further progress regarding the rights of people with disabilities. |
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Through its Communication ‘Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities’ (5), the Commission has underlined its support for further progress regarding the rights of people with disabilities.

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(1)  COM(2003) 0650 final.

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(2)  OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

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(3)  OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

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(4)  OJ L 335, 19.12.2001.

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(5)  COM(2003) 0016 final.

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