Press Release

European Parliament Recognizes IFES Leadership on Electoral Access for Disabled

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On January 15, 2003, the European Parliament unanimously passed a resolution on the status of basic human rights in the European Union, in which it recognized the role of IFES in promoting the electoral rights of citizens with disabilities and called on member states to ensure universal application of these rights. The non-binding resolution is produced annually to report on compliance with the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The resolution’s provision on electoral rights and disability was advanced in the European Parliament by Mme. Joke Swiebel of the Netherlands, with assistance from the European Disability Forum (EDF), an alliance of disability groups based in Brussels. The resolution is a direct outcome of EDF’s participation in last year’s Global Workshop on the Electoral Rights of Citizens with Disabilities, convened jointly by IFES and International IDEA in Sigtuna, Sweden.

The full text of EU Resolution (2001) (2001/2014(INI)) is available online. The provision on electoral rights and disability is found in paragraph 134.