Click on a word which is in blue and bold to read what it means.
Last January a fire killed
8 men with intellectual disabilities.
They were in an institution in Vejprty.
Vejprty is a town in Czechia.
30 other people were injured because of the fire.
Together with member associations Inclusion Czechia and Rytmus,
we said that we were very sorry
for the victims and their families.
We also asked for some things to be done:
- Look into what caused the fire.
- Find out why people died.
- Support the people who survived.
- Stop segregating people in institutions
like the one destroyed by the fire.
Other organisations and members of our board
said that they are very sad for what happened.
The European Disability Forum also said
that they are very sad.
They said that they are worried
about segregation
of people with disabilities in institutions.
Some MEPs also talked about the fire
at the European Parliament.
They showed their support for the victims.
The reaction of the international inclusion movement
Inclusion International spoke for
the international inclusion movement:
“Like Inclusion Europe,
Inclusion Czechia and Rytmus
we ask to stop more harm from happening.
Don’t build a new institution.
The people who survived
need to live independently.”
Messages of support
came from all over the world:
· Inclusion Ghana said:
“We want to remember the 8 people who died.
We stand with Inclusion Europe,
Inclusion Czechia and Rytmus.
We want action now.”
· Pranay Burde, from India, said:
“What happened is very bad.
It could have been avoided.
My heart goes with the families
of the people who died.”
· Moussa Charaffedine, from Lebanon, said:
“I know that it will be difficult to be well again
for the families
of the people who died.
But I know that they will feel better
because they have the help and support
of their friends and family.
You have my love,
respect and friendship.”
· Inclusion Mauritius said:
“We are sorry for what happened.
We are very said.
No one is listening to what people with disabilities
ask for.
This is bad.
We wish you peace.”
· Inclusión Panamá said:
“We are very sad.
We hope that they will find out
what really happened.
The rights of people with disabilities
must be respected.
We pray for the victims and their families.”
· Down Syndrome South Africa said:
“We are very sorry for the families and friends
of the people who died.
We wish that the people harmed will get better soon.
We also call for the respect of the rights
of people with disabilities.
They have the right to live in the community.”
Inclusion Europe wants to thank everyone
for their support.
We will continue to fight for the rights
of the people who died,
for the people who were harmed
and for their families.
We will also continue to fight
for all the people with intellectual disabilities
who are still living in institutions in Czechia.
We ask the Czech government
to end segregation once and for all.
