accordance with the recommendations of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), measures to build awareness for staff involved in administrative penalty proceedings and awareness campaigns were recommended. Access to family benefits The fact that problems with the granting of family benefits primarily affect families from foreign countries has potential for discrimination and in such cases, a disproportionate number of errors on the part of administrative authorities can be found. The legal situation in this area is extremely complicated due to frequent amendments of legislation and requirements under EU law. Frequently, the enforcing authorities lack clear guidelines. It is a breach of EU law that, in the event of long investigations or conflicts regarding which country is competent for family benefits, families must survive for a long time without any financial support. More support for caregiving family members A very important issue for me is increased support for caregiving family members. Within the scope of its activities, the AOB notes repeatedly that the system of coverage under social insurance law for caregiving family members still has gaps and shortcomings. The AOB therefore demands expansion of free insurance to those caregiving family members who are caring for a person without public health insurance of their own and therefore cannot take advantage of free co-insurance. Persons with disabilities must be able to decide about their way of living The recognition of the right of people with disabilities to freedom of movement and the free choice of their place of residence, their way of living and the right to participate in the community, as well as respect of privacy are the primary elements of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Based on complaints I must regrettably often find that such concerns, even when they are expressed clearly and transparently, are considered of secondary importance. It is not a rare occurrence for people with disabilities to be torn away from their residential environment and placed in an institution away from their family because they cannot pay for local care. Solutions were found wherever it was possible – sometimes public attention in the framework of the TV programme Bürgeranwalt is necessary for that. This is unsatisfactory. The heading of Article 19 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities speaks of “Living independently and being included in the community” and it is linked with the stipulation that participation in social activities be guaranteed to persons with disabilities. 34

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