After the Joint Statement on “Disability-inclusive response to COVID-19 –Towards a better future for all” was presented to the United Nations in New York and endorsed by 138 countries, including all EU Member States together with the European Union, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová, and Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli said:

“The Joint Statement on Disability-inclusive response to COVID-19 – Towards a better future for all, is an important demonstration of our commitment to disability-inclusive COVID-19 response and recovery measures. As we underline in the Joint Statement, the protection of the rights and needs of persons with disabilities need to be placed at the centre of our efforts. We support the efforts undertaken by the UN Secretary General and reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which the EU is party. The global response to the coronavirus must uphold human rights of all without discrimination of any kind. No one should be left behind, and no human right ignored. The European Union is committed to play its part.”

The full statement is available online.