Protecting the Rights of Disabled People in Ukraine
The Scottish Independent Living Coalition (SILC) highlights the needs of disabled people in Ukraine
There are approximately 3 million disabled people in Ukraine. Reports are highlighting that disabled people are finding it difficult to access a safe means of evacuation and shelter.
To ensure that disabled people in Ukraine are protected, SILC believes that all parties must respect their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and human rights law. Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by both Russia and Ukraine and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2475, create clear obligations, that cannot be suspended, even in a state of emergency, to ensure equal protection and safety for all disabled people.
SILC fully support the actions outlined by the European Disability Forum, to ensure that disabled people in Ukraine:
- Have full access to all humanitarian aid
- Are protected from violence, abuse and ill treatment
- Are provided with accessible information about safety and assistance protocols, evacuation procedures and support
- Have full access to basic services including water and sanitation, social support, education, healthcare, transport and information
- Are accounted for and not abandoned: it is also essential that measures are in place which fully include people living in institutions or orphanages; and relocation and evacuation measures should not force more disabled people to live in such institutions
- Are meaningfully involved in all disaster planning and humanitarian actions through their representative organisations
SILC also supports its colleagues in the European Network on Independent Living. In their campaign ‘Leave no-one behind’, they call on receiving countries to ensure their disabled citizens, and their respective organisations, are involved in the process of welcome and resettlement, as happens in Sweden. This is crucial, to identify everyone’s needs and ensure appropriate action is taken.
SILC members extend their solidarity to the people of Ukraine during this time of crisis. You can see more details on the SILC statement here: https://disabilityequality.scot/protecting-the-rights-of-disabled-people-in-ukraine/
For those who wish to, donations can be made to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, led by the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee:
