László Bercse’s speech at European Parliament about rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
László Bercse is Vice-President of inclusion Europe, and chair of European Platform of Self-Advocates. László Bercse spoke at the European Parliament event in December 2024, with these closing remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen.
I want to thank the European Parliament for organising this important event. And especially to Vice-President Omarjee for his contribution to making this event happen. I also want to thank Commissioner Lahbib for her words dedicated to the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. And thank you to all the speakers, and all of you who attended this event. It is an important day for people with intellectual disabilities – to have a high-level conference in the European Parliament, with so many important participants.
Now, we heard a lot about what the situation in Europe is for us, people with intellectual disabilities. In many cases, it is not a nice picture.
Yes, there are many good things, and there is always progress. But at the same time, many governments are still limiting our rights. Many people with intellectual disabilities suffer from harmful and outdated laws and policies, such as institutionalisation.
Rights of people with intellectual disabilities must be respected: Everywhere. All the time.
As we are today in the European Parliament: What can the Parliament do to make things better? To answer that question, I take what self-advocates say in our manifesto from a conference in Tallinn in 2023.
We want to understand the world we live in, our manifesto says. I ask for easy-to-understand information about the work of the Parliament, about laws and policies. And I ask for accessible meetings so that we can have our say.
We want real jobs, and real pay, our manifesto says. I ask for job opportunities in the European Parliament, and in all EU bodies and agencies. And I ask for good traineeships and other opportunities to learn new things and develop our skills. People with disabilities need higher incomes to be able to access quality services.
We want to live in the community, with the people we choose, our manifesto says. I ask the Parliament to end segregation of people with intellectual disabilities. The Parliament must ensure good conditions for next EU budget: Governments must have plans to close institutions, and they have to follow them. EU money should go to community services.
We want the right to vote in elections, the manifesto says. I ask the Parliament to make sure everyone can vote in European elections, regardless of their legal capacity. The next European elections will be the 50th anniversary since the first popular vote – make sure everyone can truly celebrate this achievement of European democracy!
Thank you.
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