« Our patience is at the end » – DiePresse.com

The parliament is a construction site. Again? More precisely: a symbolic construction site is in front of the parliament, and not again, but still – for 17 years. At that time, 2008, Austria also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Disability. These rights for people with disabilities are still not implemented. This is the reason for this protest on Monday, on the European Protest Day to equality for people with disabilities and, while in Parliament the systematic murder of people with disabilities was thought of by the National Socialists in Hartheim Castle.

Numerous organizations, disabilities, life aid, Caritas, Diakonie, etc. have gathered in front of the parliament to read from the UN Convention on the Rights of Disability for ten hours: those 50 articles in which people are entitled to, but is far from being reality.

What is the reason for real inclusion, implementing the Convention on the Rights of Disability? Cornelia Scheuer, board member at Bizeps – Center for Self -determined life, quoted central passages from the convention in front of the parliament: including the right to equality, political participation and barrier -free access to culture, leisure and sport. She particularly emphasizes the situation of women with disabilities that are discriminated against several times and finally need targeted support. « It is time! » Said Scheuer: « In the meantime we are making ourselves ridiculous internationally. » There are still no barrier -free access, including education, real freedom of choice in living form or equal political participation. The patience of those affected is in the end.

Violence and dependency

« The most recent violent study shows that 72 percent of the people with disabilities surveyed have experienced physical violence in the institutional context, every second person with disabilities is exposed to sexual violence and eight out of ten people with disabilities are affected by forms of violence, » said the activist Dorothea Brozek. « Structures of dependency and lack of self-determination remain central risk factors. Therefore, we call for real freedom of choice, de-institutionalization and personal assistance as a human right. »

The fact that there were numerous deficits was also found during the last state examination in the summer of 2023 by the responsible UN specialist committee. In his speech, this also appealed to the President of the Disability Council Klaus Widl. He also referred to the memorial exhibition for the liberation from National Socialism that took place at the same time and reminded that disabled people were also systematically murdered. « Anyone who is intended must also not be silent if human rights are not implemented and are not adhered to, » he saw today’s politics challenged. « We hope that the new federal government will finally start implementing the Convention on the Rights of Disability, » he said: « We are here to request our human rights, » said Widl.

FOLUCTION THE REFORTS

From state to state, for example, access to personal assistance – whether someone live independently in their own apartment, go out of the house and participate in public life is therefore dependent on the place of residence. Here, representatives of people with disabilities have long demanded federal regulations and the right to personal assistance. Personal assistance is also crucial to implement the goal of de-institutionalization in the area of ​​living-what would be necessary to fulfill the goals of the Convention on the Rights of Disabilities-personal assistance.

Minister of Social Affairs Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) had paid a visit to the protest event in the morning and promised support. One will see what is happening, the protesters said on Monday morning, nothing moves in terms of inclusion, and will be here again at the symbolic construction site in a year.