This report provides information about the protection of rights of persons with disabilities in 2015.

The report emphasizes the most important challenges in terms of realization of the rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. Proper implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention is one of the major current problems. There is a detail overview of an issue of access to the physical environment, transportation and road infrastructure as well as relevant access to information. The report also focuses on the significant gaps existing in the legislation regulating accessibility. These gaps are caused by the absence of an enforcement and supervision mechanism.

Disregard of special needs of persons with disabilities during sports, cultural and entertainment events has been a regrettable practice during 2015, as well as frequent use of hate speech containing stigma and abusive statements towards persons with disabilities. The Public Defender called on everyone, especially civil servants and high ranking officials to protect the rights of persons with disabilities on equal basis with others and refrain from using hate speech demonstrating insulting attitude towards persons with disabilities.

Social protection, right to adequate housing and employment of persons with disabilities still remains as one of the most important challenges for the State. The State has not developed policies, legal framework and programs to promote employment of the persons with disabilities and help them live independently and be integrated into the broad society. Another challenge is the opportunity for persons with disabilities to exercise their right to healthcare to the full extant; they are not effectively provided with medical supplies. Inclusive education is progressing with flaws as well; the quality and continuity of inclusive education remains a problem.

See the electronic version of the report