The Committee of Ministers decided that this area of work would be mainstreamed across the Organisation through relevant intergovernmental and co-operation activities, drawing also on any relevant results of monitoring the Council of Europe Disability Strategy 2017-2023.
Therefore, continues to be implemented, through this mainstreamed approach.
The Council of Europe very early on turned its attention to the various forms of disability, even though, at its very beginnings in 1949, the priority was to seek solutions for oppressed minorities and the marginalised. At a time when Europe was picking itself up from its ruins, the new-found peace had to be preserved by strengthening democracy with the three essential tools of social cohesion, equality among citizens and respect for human rights. This three-fold focus also ties in with the commitment to ensure the integration of people with disabilities in society. This was not something new. It was first set out in the Partial Agreement in the Social and Public Health Field (Res(59)23).
The Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 5 April 2006. It is addressed to the governments of all member states.
The fundamental goal of the Action Plan is to help member states reinforce anti-discriminatory and human rights measures to enhance equal opportunities and independence of people with disabilities and guarantee their freedom of choice, full citizenship, active participation in the life of the community and improve their quality of life.
The Council of Europe adopted its new Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2017-2023 on 30 November 2016.
Promoting and protecting human rights of all persons and upholding democracy and the respect of the rule of law is the core of Council of Europe work. The protection of rights, safeguarded and guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights, applies to all, including persons with disabilities. The new Council of Europe Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2017–2023 was drafted in 2016 by Council of Europe member States in co-operation with civil society and other stakeholders
More about the Ad Hoc Committee of Experts on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CAHDPH)
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