DISABLED PEOPLES' INTERNATIONAL - EUROPEAN REGION
URGENT STATEMENT
Issued on the occasion of their Regional Assembly
On behalf of our membership of millions of disabled people from all over
Europe, including those countries directly concerned with the present
conflict in Yugoslavia, we reaffirm our commitment to peace worldwide.
DPI, as a human rights organisation, condemns all forms of violence, ethnic
cleansing, war, terrorism, xenophobia or any violation of rights - wherever
it may happen.
Therefore we appeal to all those who have the power to do so, to stop this
violation of human rights and work for mutual respect between all sides of
the conflict.
We particularly wish to remember those disabled people who have no chance
or strength to run to the shelters - which are generally inaccessible to
them anyway. They encounter great difficulties in obtaining food, petrol,
medical aids and support. We do not know how many disabled people have
found refuge or how many have been left behind. The violence on all sides
increases the number of disabled people and the destruction of economic
systems will make it impossible to meet disabled peoples' needs in future,
further endangering their basic human rights.
We believe that violence, bombs and ethnic cleansing do not solve problems
- dialogue for democracy, economic support and mutual respect is the only
solution.
WE APPEAL TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED TO START TALKING NOW
Syracusa, Italy - April 1999
DISABLED PEOPLES' INTERNATIONAL EUROPEAN REGION,
11 BELGRAVE ROAD, LONDON SW1V 1RB, UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: 0171 834 0477, Fax: 0171 821 9539, e-mail: dpieurope @
compuserve.com
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