RESOLUTION for the Immediate Ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty

RESOLUTION for the immediate ratification of the "Marrakesh treaty"

The delegates of European Disability Forum (EDF), the voice of 80 million persons with disabilities in Europe, during its General Assembly, taking place in Warsaw on 30 and 31 May 2015, approved the following resolution:

Over 95 per cent of the books published in the world are never published in a way that is accessible to blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled persons. 90% of personswith disabilities live in developing countries, where resources to make books accessible are even more limited than they are here in Europe.

Access to information is a human right. Information is what people use to make decisions and choices in life. The lack of information in accessible formats for allpersonswith the disabilities has put them at a huge disadvantage. Like everyone else, they need information for education, employment, participation in cultural life, recreational reading and participation in society.

Article 21 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Personswith Disabilities states thatinformation intended for the general public should be provided to persons with disabilities in accessible formats and technologies appropriate to different kinds of disabilities in a timely manner and without additional cost.

On 27 June 2013, in Morocco, the WIPO "Marrakesh treaty to Improve Access to information for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled" was adopted. On 30 April 2014 the EU signed this treaty.

Sadly, ever since, the EU has shown no urgency to ratify the "Marrakesh treaty", indeed it has shown reluctance.Instead, there is an ongoing discussion within the EU about the process for ratifying it. The discussion is between the Member States and the Commission over who has competence over the matter.

The General Assembly of the EuropeanDisability Forum, convened in Warsaw, Poland, on 30-31 May 2015 calls on the Commission of the European Union (EU), the EU council, and all governments throughout the European Union:

Without any further delay,

To take all necessary measures and decisions for the Ratification of the "Marrakesh treaty to Improve Access to information for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled"; and

To implement the requirements of this treaty into EU and national legislation.

This resolution is sent to European Commission’s President, Mr Juncker and is disseminated to the relevant public authorities, at EU, national and local level.

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