Foundation "Pentru Voi" and the Public Policy Institute (IPP) request the Romanian Parliament to provide legislative priority for issues concerning people with disabilities.
Bucharest, February 2, 2010 ■ Considering the Parliament’s extremely low preoccupation with the acute problems faced by people with disabilities in Romania, as concluded from analyzing the first legislative sessions of its mandate, the “Pentru Voi” foundation joined by the Public Policy Institute (IPP) have requested both houses to re-prioritize the legislative projects concerning persons with disabilities.
Out of 7 legislative projects mainly aimed at changing the law framework protecting and promoting the rights of disabled persons, only two have become laws during the recently concluded legislative session of the Parliament, both of which promote only passive measures:
1. Law no. 359/2009 which provides rent exemption for estates designated for state-housing or for territorial administrative offices used to serve people with severe disabilities;
2. Law no. 360/2009 which facilitates the introduction of a tax relief on salary and pension income for people with severe or accentuated disabilities.
On the other hand, the Government rejected 4 of the 7 legislation proposals submitted by parliament members during their last session on the basis of inapplicability and poor foundation, even though among the initiators were representatives of the PDL party, a sign of a lack in effective communication at the political level in terms of legislative priorities in this domain.
Moreover, the government adopted earlier this year without consulting the service providers a decision that establishes the standard cost for social services without considering the degree of disability, an approach contrary to European rules that call for flexible, focused and individually-tailored social services that fits one’s needs.
Since the new legislative session had just begun, we call on the Parliament to make the ratification of the UN convention for people with disabilities its foremost priority in terms of legislative measure. Ratification will create the framework necessary to ensure respect and the social inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The two organizations concluded that disabled persons are not seen as a priority for the Parliament, which constantly postpones discussion on their problems. To make things worse, this group enjoys limited if not inexistent representation among the social policy makers in Romania.
The two organizations reaffirmed their willingness to dialogue with the decision makers and make available their expertise and research resources towards a legislative process based on extensive research and objective justification, for the foundation of a genuine public policy in this domain.
For additional information, please contact Elena Ioarga, IPP Programs Director at: 021.212.3126, e-mail: elena@ipp.ro and Laila Onu, Executiv Director, “Pentru Voi” foundation at: 0256.228.062, e-mail: pentruvoi@pentruvoi.ro.