Malaga Ministerial Declaration on People with disabilities

In 1992, following the first European Conference of Ministers responsible for policies on people with disabilities, Recommendation No. R (92) 6 on a coherent policy for people with disabilities was adopted by the Committee of Ministers.

This pioneering recommendation influenced disability policies for more than ten years and prompted new inclusive policy plans that have positively benefited people with disabilities both nationally and internationally.

However, major changes have taken place in society and new strategies are needed to further progress a social and human rights based approach to disability issues in the next decade.

In May 2003 at the Second European Ministerial Conference, which took place in Malaga, Spain, the Ministers responsible for policies on people with disabilities adopted the Malaga Ministerial Declaration on People with disabilities “Progressing towards full participation as citizens".

An appropriate strategy was set out to elaborate a Council of Europe Disability Action Plan aimed at promoting human rights and improving of the quality of life of people with disabilities in Europe.

Key words: Action plans, Council of Europe, human rights, people with disabilities, policies, recommendations