EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/607

(2004/C 78 E/0642)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3603/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(5 December 2003)

Subject: Portuguese Overseas War veterans — disabilities

In its Resolution of 15 July 2003 (1) the Council drew attention to the declaration issued by the Ministers responsible (in Málaga on 8 May 2003), which states that improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and for their families is ‘one of the main aims of the next decade’.

Parliament too has adopted several resolutions on the same subject, including its resolution of 3 September 2003 on the Commission Communication entitled ‘Towards a United Nations legally binding instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities’, which also points to the duty of meeting the needs of people with ‘hidden’ disabilities.

Over and above the issue of the disabled in general, there is a specific group in Portugal not receiving any kind of special attention, namely the numerous Portuguese veterans of the ‘Overseas War’, fought between 1961 and 1974 in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau.

Some 800 000 men served in the Portuguese armed forces in those parts of the world, and many came back crippled or maimed or are now suffering from chronic psychological disorders resulting from exposure to traumatic stress factors in warfare. These are termed military-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, defined as a type of anxiety disorder in DSM-IV, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Portugal has been seeking to honour its obligations to those who became disabled during their military service, but European solidarity and shared experience could also be very useful in relieving the special problems of fellow citizens in this situation.

What measures has the Commission taken or will it take in connection with the European Year of People with Disabilities specifically with a view to integrating war-disabled people such as the veterans who served in the Portuguese ‘overseas provinces’? What measures does it recommend?

Given the seriousness of ‘hidden’ illnesses, the category which can be said to include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, what specific steps does the Commission think could be taken both to remedy the lack of information about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of this form of disability and to rehabilitate and integrate the sufferers? Will it take any action in this area?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(16 January 2004)

The specific issue of the integration of people disabled as a result of their participation in military action is the responsibility of the Member States.

However, the Commission has a long tradition of promoting the rights and the inclusion of disabled people in social and economic life. To quote just a few examples: the European Social Fund contributes to the integration of disabled people in the labour market. Other Community funds (2) are used to improve health infrastructures, promote the social inclusion of disabled people in society, combat discrimination, etc. Moreover, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, the Council has adopted Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (3). This Directive prohibits any discrimination, direct or indirect, based on belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. It is also to be hoped that it will help to improve the low employment rate among disabled people who can work. In the context of its external and development aid policy, the Commission supports projects contributing to the reintegration of disabled people in active life, the improvement of rehabilitation systems, etc.

As part of the European Year of People with Disabilities in 2003, and to keep disability high on the European political agenda, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled ‘Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European Action Plan’ (4), with the aim of establishing a long-term, operational approach to disability for the future, taking into account the forthcoming enlargement of the EU. The Communication provides for a multiannual Action Plan to mainstream disability issues into relevant Community policies and develop concrete actions in crucial areas to enhance the full integration of people with disabilities in society and the economy by 2010.

In implementing the health information and knowledge strand of the Public Health Programme, the Commission has set up a working party on mental health to improve the information available in the area of mental disorders, develop relevant mental health indicators and make them operational. The working party on mental health met for the first time in November 2003. A specific task force for mental health indicators has been established. Research into and the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are not covered by the Public Health Programme.

(1) OJ C 175, 24.7.2003, p. 1.

(2) FEDER, Community programmes in the area of education, training and youth, the EQUAL initiative, the Antidiscrimination programme, the programme to combat social exclusion, etc.

(3) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.

(4) COM(2003)650.