"We said we're fine, so why are you making a fuss?"

The British media outlet BBC reported on the 15th (Korea time) that the Directorate-General for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities under Spain's Ministry of Social Rights requested an investigation from the prosecutor's office regarding the hiring of people with dwarfism at the birthday party of Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal.

Yamal celebrated his 18th birthday last Sunday in the small town of Olivella, northwest of Barcelona. YouTubers, influencers, and Barcelona teammates attended the party. It is reported that entertainers with dwarfism performed at the party.

In response, the Association for the Rights of Persons with Dwarfism and Other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain (ADEE) strongly opposed.

ADEE stated, "This act is unacceptable in the 21st century," and argued that "hiring people with dwarfism as part of entertainment fosters stereotypes and discrimination against persons with disabilities. This undermines the image and rights of persons with disabilities."

The Directorate-General for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities noted, "Given that ADEE has filed a legal complaint, we are requesting that the prosecutor's office investigate potential legal violations and rights infringements."

The general law on the rights of persons with disabilities explicitly prohibits using persons with disabilities in entertainment activities in a way that could provoke public ridicule or laughter," it emphasized.

Barcelona stated regarding the controversy, "This is a matter related to an individual's privacy, so we are not in a position to comment. We will reassess our position once additional information is secured."

However, the participants expressed discomfort over the actions. An entertainer with dwarfism, who requested anonymity, said in a radio program interview, "No one treated us rudely at this party" and added, "We were just doing what we wanted to do, but the excessive attention is uncomfortable."

In fact, the performer who participated in the party noted that the performances included dance, shot serving, and magic, and that everyone enjoyed themselves. He emphasized that he disagreed with the criticism from ADEE.

The performer argued, "They are preventing us from doing what we like, but in reality, they do not provide alternative job opportunities or education," adding, "The recent actions of the association's president are actually making it more difficult for people with dwarfism."

The performer pointed out that the reason for the heated controversy was "simply because the main character of the party was Lamine Yamal." He concluded the interview by saying, "We are not objects of entertainment, and we do not cross the line. We just hope to be left to work."

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