The president of the Supreme Court and the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ), Isabel Perelló, has announced that she is working, in collaboration with a group of experts, on the development of a ‘Practical Guide for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities in the criminal process.’
This was highlighted during her speech at the XVII annual awards ceremony of the Justice and Disability Forum. At the event, she encouraged legal operators and institutions working in defense of the rights of people with disabilities to «continue changing social mentality» with the aim of achieving a world without barriers for them.
In this regard, Perelló pointed out that «the guarantee of essential values such as respect, equality, and non-discrimination» is a task that concerns «the entire social community» and «requires the complicity of each person and each institution,» from the various responsibilities that each one has.
Likewise, Perelló stated that the Judiciary is responsible for the guardianship and protection of all people with disabilities who need to access Justice. Therefore, she added that «the role of judges is essential in facilitating access to Justice for these citizens when they demand that their rights and freedoms be real and effective.»
Furthermore, she highlighted the work that the Justice and Disability Forum has been carrying out since its creation in 2003 to eliminate the obstacles that hinder access to Justice on equal terms for this group.
She also added that the organization of the Forum’s awards reflects the importance that «social commitment» to this cause has for everyone. Thus, she added that they promote «greater awareness by making visible not only the challenges but also the progressive advances in favor of the four million people with disabilities in Spain, of which nearly 60 percent are women.»
On her part, the CGPJ vocal and president of the Justice and Disability Forum, Isabel Revuelta, expressed her gratitude to those who dedicate their time «to improve the lives of others and generously fight for the rights of people with disabilities.» She also emphasized the legislative progress made in this area over the last decade.
«But we cannot be complacent,» she warned, adding that the recognition of a right by the legal norm «must be accompanied by the necessary measures for its effective implementation, implementing the necessary personal and material resources.»
In this line, the vocal pointed out that institutions must continue to advance «to achieve, in practice, access to Justice on equal terms.»
THE FORMER FOOTBALLER UNZUÉ, ONE OF THE AWARDEES
In its XVII edition, the Justice and Disability Forum has recognized former footballer Juan Carlos Unzué, diagnosed with ALS, «for his work to raise awareness in society about the importance of having a law that regulates comprehensive care for people with neurodegenerative diseases.»
It has also awarded jurist Miguel Ángel Cabra de Luna «for his contribution to Spain’s ratification of the UN Convention on this matter and the promulgation of Law 8/21 reforming civil and procedural legislation to support people with disabilities in exercising their legal capacity.»
Additionally, the PRODE Foundation, dedicated to the social integration of people with disabilities through employment, and the Don Orione Home, which provides the necessary support for people with intellectual disabilities to live autonomously and develop their own life project, have been awarded.
Along with the CGPJ, the Justice and Disability Forum includes the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with the Courts and the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and Agenda 2030; the Attorney General’s Office; the General Council of Spanish Lawyers; the General Council of Procurators of Spain; the General Council of Notaries (Aequitas Foundation); the College of Registrars of Property, Commercial, and Movable Assets of Spain; the General Council of Official Colleges of Social Graduates; the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI); Plena Inclusión and the ONCE Foundation.
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