Cerebral Palsy Europe contributes to review of EU’s implementation of UNCRPD

Cerebral Palsy Europe has contributed to the review of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the European Union currently being conducted by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In its report, Cerebral Palsy Europe explains that implementation of the UNCRPD in the EU is characterised by many principles being protected on paper, but many barriers and failures in practice.

For almost all of the rights enshrined in the Convention, the report describes how the right is respected or not, and what tools the EU has to improve this. Despite not having direct competence for many policy areas, the EU has the capacity to influence the respect of all rights enshrined in the Convention, whether it be through legislation, coordination, dissemination of best practice or funding.

On 10 March 2025, Secretary General John Coughlan had the opportunity to address and respond to the questions of the UN Committee in Geneva alongside representatives of the European Disability Forum and other organisations of persons with disabilities.