European Disability Forum: Meanwhile…people in Greece still suffer
Once again, the European Disability Forum (EDF) calls on European Union (EU) institutions and the governments in Europe to think of ordinary people in Greece who must still survive with no money, no jobs, no access to credit. People in Greece have suffered enough from the austerity measures. It is necessary to find a sustainable solution that allows Greek people to live with dignity and protects vulnerable groups of citizens such as men, women and young people with disabilities, as well as older people.
There are figures that help everyone remember that despite the stated ambitions of the programme of the “Troika” consisting of the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, Greece has seen a 25% decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) since this programme started. This depression has been having catastrophic consequences on the people of Greece. 60% of young people in Greece today are unemployed. Persons with disabilities have also been hit and fundamental rights that we have been fighting for years are now at risk.
The discussions about the Greek debt are continuing this week and we urge the EU institutions to understand that this is the time for the EU to prove that it is built on the principle of solidarity and to ensure that Greek people and Greek economy have a chance to recover. A solution can be found only with respect to people and human dignity.
“In front of this historical moment not only for the future of Greece but also for the future of Europe as a whole, the EU institutions should base the negotiations with the Greek Government on the values of fundamental rights and solidarity and put people first. They should fully protect persons with disabilities and their families from more poverty, exclusion, and discrimination,” underlines EDF President, Yannis Vardakastanis.
EDF and other member organisations of Social Platform have co-signed a letter on the situation in Greece describing it as a “failure to put the rights and well-being of all people in Europe at the heart of European policies”. The letter has been sent to EU Heads of State and Government, to the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the Eurogroup, the European Central Bank, as well as to the Director-General of the International Monetary Fund. Find the letter here.
