MESSAGE FROM BAGIS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator delivered a written message on the occasion of 3rd  December  International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 

In his message Minister Bagis indicated the followings:

We, as the members of a civilization who attach great importance to solidarity with the disabled, are celebrating the 3rd  December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities and hope to build a world without barriers.

We feel the need to once more point out that being disabled is not a fault. Discrimination on the basis of disability should be considered as a crime against humanity. It should be acknowledged that disabilities in the minds are the biggest shame of humanity and that such kinds of approach should be excluded from the society. Thus this kind of political approach has been eliminated as the obstacles for democracy have been removed one by one in the last 9 years.

It should also be highlighted that none of our services for our citizens with disabilities should be considered as a blessing; on the contrary these services are our duty. Under the directions of our Prime Minister and with devoted efforts of Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Sahin, the Government is continuing to take steps to solve the problems of the disabled citizens. In the meantime, we are making use of the opportunities of the EU and struggling to raise the standards of our disabled citizens to the living standards of the EU.

Though the accession negotiations is not at the desired level due to the efforts of some circles, we believe the EU process would contribute to every citizen of ours, including the citizens with disabilities and we continue to do our part.

Though policies of the EU for the disabled are based on the Amsterdam Treaty which was concluded in 1999, within the current practices the most contemporary standards is in the European countries.

Indeed our understanding of civilization which focused on people with disabilities centuries ago, proves that Turkey’s EU membership would strengthen this field.

Our disabled citizens should overcome all kinds of obstacles, hold on to their lives and present a struggle that would be a model for democratization and development of our country.”