Strengthening democracy and human rights through the political participation of persons with disabilities in the European Union

Abstract

A strong democracy can only exist when all voices are included, and human rights are upheld for everyone. Persons with disabilities make up over 27% of the European Union (EU) population. Nevertheless, they remain vastly underrepresented in EU politics, with fewer than 1% of politicians self-identifying as persons with disabilities. In the European elections, approximately 800,000 persons with disabilities were denied the right to vote due to their disability and participation rates remain low even among those eligible. This systemic exclusion stands in direct contradiction to the EU’s foundational values and places a clear responsibility on the EU. Therefore, this dissertation addresses two key research questions: (1) What legal and institutional measures does the European Union take to promote the political participation of persons with disabilities, and what shortcomings exist in their implementation? (2) What recommendations can be implemented at the EU level to enhance the political participation of persons with disabilities in the European Union? Grounded in an interdisciplinary framework of human rights, democratisation, disability studies and political science, this study employs a qualitative analytical approach. The literature analysis reveals that, although the EU has developed legal measures, their implementation remains inconsistent. Binding commitments are often limited in scope, and the EU does not fully leverage its legislative and policy powers to advance disability rights. Institutionally, the EU has undertaken targeted initiatives, developed strategic frameworks, and established structures within its institutions. However, significant barriers remain. EU institutions are not fully accessible, inclusive recruitment is lacking, data gaps persist, and symbolic actions have limited impact. To address these limitations, eight key recommendations are presented, developed in collaboration with an advisory board comprising individuals with disabilities. By implementing these measures, the EU can enhance the political participation of persons with disabilities, thereby strengthening democracy and human rights for all.