Does EU comply with the Convention on Disabilities?

EHS is not acknowledged by EU. According to the criteria in the disability convention, EHS should be
classified as a disability. It is not required that the disability be medically substantiated. The EU and all European countries have signed this convention. That means they have to comply with the convention.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities assessed the European Union’s compliance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in March 2025. It appears that the EU is not complying with the convention. In its advanced unedited report of March the committee expresses concerns about the findings in Europe. To name a few:

• There are concerns about the hampered implementation of the convention and that the rights guaranteed by the convention do not have direct effect in EU law.
• There is uncertainty as to whether the European Union accepts the committee’s interpretations of the convention, as authoritative.
• Great concern was expressed about the continued use of the medical model of disability in the EU and the lack of harmonisation on disability assessments among member states.
• Also the lack of active involvement of persons with disabilities through their representative organisations is mentioned.

The report makes no mention of EHS. MCS was explicitly covered in the Canadian report but not in the European. Where do we stand now, knowing this? Besides pushing for the acknowledgement of EHS itself, this report offers important starting points to work on.

ESC, as a disability organisation, can play a representative role at EU level. The European Disability Forum is admitting new members this year. By becoming a member there, we can have more influence on policy.

Does your country comply with the Convention on Disabilities?

The member states themselves will also be judged by the UN committee. Belgium, Denmark and The Netherlands already have been assessed. Finland will come next. It is very important to increase awareness and to raise this issue at the national level. EHS should also be considered a disability in your country.

Read ESC’s report on the implementation of the UN Convention. Did your national organisation participate in this survey. This is still possible. Raise this issue at the national level. The ESC board offers support in the form of a draft text that can be adapted and translated. Please contact .