EU disability petition gathers 1.2 million signatures

Almost 2,400 Maltese citizens have signed an EU-wide petition calling for non-discrimination towards disabled people.

The petition, with 1.2 million signatures from the 27 EU member states, is to be presented to the European Commission today.

Conducted by the European Disability Forum (EDF), an umbrella oganisation representing 50 million disabled citizens, the campaign was launched nine months ago to coincide with the European Year Of Equal Opportunities being celebrated this year.

A spokesman for the campaign told The Times the response to the petition was overwhelming.

"The response was tremendous and we are very happy with the Maltese feedback.

"A total of 2,394 signatures were gathered in Malta, some of them sending in their support electronically."

Called 1million4disability, the campaign aims to raise public and political awareness of the daily reality of Europeans with disability, who confront discrimination, prejudice and are denied their most basic rights.

The campaign means to mobilise public opinion in favour of stronger legislation that will protect the rights of disabled people, combat discrimination and enable them to act as fully active citizens.

The petition also stresses the role and moral responsibility of the EU to work for and protect the rights of all its citizens, with no distinction.