In Greece, refugees with disabilities are struggling to acquire access to basic services such as shelter, toilets and showers, and medical care, according to the findings of Human Rights Watch and the European Disability Forum.
"Refugees with disabilities are at heightened risk of violence, including sexual and domestic abuse, discrimination and exclusion from access to humanitarian assistance," said Gunta Anca, Vice-President of the European Disability Forum.
Human Rights Watch tells the story of Ali, an eight-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, who uses a wheelchair. Sadly, he was unable to use the toilets of the Elliniko camp in Athens because the stalls were too narrow and the bathrooms did not have ramps. For this reason, Ali was forced to wear diapers. When his physical condition began to worsen from lack of health care services, the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, relocated Ali's family to a place where his needs could be met. However, other people with disabilities are continuing to suffer in deplorable conditions.
Every person deserves the right to feel safe, have his or her basic needs met, and live with dignity.
Please sign this petition requesting that the European Commission and the European Parliament ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to all refugees without discrimination of disability status. This petition will also request that EU member states assist in the relocation of refugees from Greece to other EU member nations. These objectives are in accordance with the goals of humanitarian organizations that are striving for justice for disadvantaged people around the world.
Dear Honorable Members of the European Parliament and European Commission,
We are deeply concerned by findings that in Greece, refugees with disabilities are struggling to acquire access to basic services such as shelter, toilets and showers, and medical care, according to the findings of Human Rights Watch and the European Disability Forum.
“Refugees with disabilities are at heightened risk of violence, including sexual and domestic abuse, discrimination and exclusion from access to humanitarian assistance,” said Gunta Anca, Vice-President of the European Disability Forum.
Human Rights Watch tells the story of Ali, an eight-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, who uses a wheelchair. Sadly, he was unable to use the toilets of the Elliniko camp in Athens because the stalls were too narrow and the bathrooms did not have ramps. For this reason, Ali was forced to wear diapers. When his physical condition began to worsen from lack of health care services, the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, relocated Ali’s family to a place where his needs could be met. However, other people with disabilities are continuing to suffer in deplorable conditions.
Every person deserves the right to feel safe, have basic needs met, and live with dignity.
We request that you ensure that humanitarian aid is provided to all refugees without discrimination of disability status.
We also request that that EU member states assist in the relocation of refugees from Greece to other EU member nations.
These objectives are in accordance with the goals of humanitarian organizations that are striving for justice for disadvantaged people around the world.
Thank you for your consideration.
[your comments]
Sincerely,
[your name]
