WRITTEN DECLARATION

No. 0024/2008

on the deinstitutionalisation of children with disabilities

Protect children from discrimination & promote inclusive care for children with disabilities in the EU

Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM), Bastiaan Belder (IND/DEM),

Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven (Greens/EFA),

Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou (EPP-ED)

and Richard Howitt (PSE)

0024/2008

Written declaration on the discrimination and institutionalisation of children with disabilities in the European Union

The European Parliament ,

– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (2003-2005) (COM(2003)773) dictate that all children must receive proper care, education and therapy within community settings,

B. whereas principles of equal opportunities and non-discrimination, as outlined in Article 16 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, should be respected and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child dictates that states must ensure the ‘survival and development’ of children,

C. whereas the Charter of Fundamental Rights (2007/C 303/01) includes children’s’ rights to non-discrimination, dignity, education and medicine,

D. whereas the institutionalisation of children with disabilities is widespread throughout the Member States and discrimination occurs in violation of the aforementioned principles and the EU policy of Social Inclusion,

1. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to uphold the Charter of Fundamental Rights, notably Articles 1, 3, 14(2), 24, 26 and 35;

2. Calls for the allocation and monitoring of EU funds to ensure that all Member States can provide appropriate and inclusive care for children;

3. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider the detrimental effect of the institutionalisation of children with disabilities and to support deinstitutionalisation through alternatives like community based services, including education and recreational facilities;

4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the current violations of fundamental rights do not continue, and to guarantee protection and provision for children in state care;

5. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council and the Parliaments and Governments of the Member States.