National efforts require support to safeguard children with special needs - Dalli

Labour MEP Miriam Dalli emphasised that the European Commission should not shy away from supporting national efforts to safeguard and include children with special needs.

Her statement came after a recent study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights concluded that children with special needs are at a bigger risk of experiencing physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

What is more, this same study confirmed that these children are less likely to find protection when experiencing abuse and are mostly cases completely neglected.

“Promoting and safeguarding children’s rights should be of utmost importance for the EU as stated also in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU,” Dalli said.

“In view of this, I will continue pressuring the European Commission to make sure that children with different abilities are well integrated in our communities,” she added.

Dalli called on the Commission to give its full attention to cases of abuse, violence or bullying that children with disability endure.

In response, the European Commission said that each member state ratified the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights, that lists all the rights enjoyed by children. Such rights span from political rights to social rights and from economic rights to health rights amongst others.

The European Council and the European Commission are reportedly committed to improve access to inclusive education for persons with different abilities, as outlined in their 2015 Joint Report on the implementation of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training.

Dalli emphasised that such inclusive education should be a universal standard and that no child should be left behind.

“Education is the best foundation towards protection of minors, irrespective of their abilities. In this spirit all member states, Malta included, need to invest further in inclusive education that strives to achieve our children’s full potential, providing them the needed tools to progress in their careers.”

Meanwhile, during the 9th edition of the European Forum on Children’s Rights, the European Commission tabled ten principles aimed at protecting children.