The rights of persons with disabilities are not just those which they uphold and rightly expect to be accorded automatically by both society and the authorities, as so many have during the past few years. There are other rights, however, which need to be supported and respected by all sectors of the population, such as making sure that no abuse is perpetrated of the rights of persons with disabilities and which need our everyday awareness.

Shockingly, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) report for 2024 revealed that no fewer than 1,300 expired Blue Badges were officially revoked after their holders had chosen not to have them returned. As if that wasn't an affront too many, the Commission's enforcement unit investigated more than 350 reports of Blue Badge abuse, which led to the confiscation of 53 fake badges which were being used illegally. These isolated cases of fraud, to the detriment of persons with disabilities, need to be stopped, also with the help of those entitled to use the Blue Badge.

According to the same report, the CRPD in fact received about 500 testimonies of alleged discrimination cases against persons with disabilities over such issues as accessibility, education, the provision of items, services and facilities, employment, and violation of the rights of persons with disabilities. Timely action was taken to investigate these issues, a number of which were successfully resolved through negotiations and concrete measures to the benefit of the persons with disabilities concerned.

Of course, there were also cases which were rejected when no discrimination could be established to have taken place. Others are still being addressed in the hope of eventually closing them satisfactorily.

But the CPRD is not restricted to supervisory and enforcement processes. Last year the Commission actively led or took part in five European projects on issues relating to disability, as well as training sessions for 3,600 persons on the issue of equality and the disability sector.

It is fair to say that the record number of alleged discrimination cases is a reflection of increased awareness among persons with disabilities and their families of their declared rights. It is also the result of systematic information campaigns undertaken over the years by the Ministry in conjunction with the CRPD. The campaigns aimed to provide direct assistance, information, and several concrete measures that enable persons with disabilities to obtain what is theirs by right. It is how we seek to continue working for the evolution of our vision towards a more inclusive society, making of it the reality of a society in which every citizen has a voice and wherein all rights of the individual are respected and protected.

An educational campaign launched earlier this month is primarily intended to promote the need for every citizen, in his and her everyday life and in practical terms, to be highly cognisant of the sense of responsibility we should all carry to help avoid even the slightest hint of negativity when it comes to persons with disabilities.

As CRPD Commissioner Rhoda Garland explained in her submission of the report, the fact that 2024 saw an increase of 29% in the number of discrimination reports, when compared to the previous year, showed that the CRPD is always ready and willing to investigate all discrimination complaints submitted to it. It is there to enforce all established rights while promoting, protecting, and scrutinising the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Ours is an ongoing mission that will go through various forms of evolution, upgrades and, where necessary, tweaks, to guide Maltese society in its wholesome belief in equality and inclusivity.

Julia Farrugia is the Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector