EU Statement on the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 17 May 2022
- On the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the European Union reaffirms its strong commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.
- Over the last 10 years, we have seen signs of progress worldwide, particularly in Europe. Yet, discrimination and exclusion on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) persist, and levels of violence against LGBTI persons are alarming, even when underreported.
- LGBTI persons are particularly vulnerable to violence and discrimination during armed conflicts. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine has put the spotlight on LGBTI persons both caught up in, and trying to, flee conflicts and humanitarian emergencies. There have been reports of transgender persons being hindered during their flight as well as incidents of violence against LGBTI persons. More needs to be done to offer them support, protection and safe spaces.
- We commend the Council of Europe’s work in this field, including through the European LGBTI Governmental Focal Points Network, and a dedicated working group of the Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion. The EU looks forward in particular to the Comprehensive review of the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec (2010)5 on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity as well as its thematic dimensions and the future Recommendation on the equality of rights of intersex persons. In accordance with this year’s theme – Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights – we pledge our support for the right of all LGBTI persons in Europe and beyond to be free from physical violence, from so-called “conversion therapies” or forced sterilisation.
- 40 years after the ground-breaking case of Dudgeon v. the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights continues to be a pioneer in upholding and strengthening the human rights of LGBTI persons across the Council of Europe membership. We also value the work of the Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard.
- 2022 is also the European Year of Youth: young persons, who often face rejection by their families and harassment online and offline, need to be accepted and valued for who they are. The proper implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec (2010)5 is particularly relevant in this regard, including its provisions on providing objective information with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity, for instance in school curricula and educational materials, and providing pupils and students with the necessary information, protection and support to enable them to live in accordance with their sexual orientation and gender identity.
- The EU looks forward to the annual IDAHOT+ Forum, the major European event regarding the promotion and safeguarding of LGBTI rights on our continent, which will take place in Limassol, Cyprus on 12 of May 2022, co-hosted by the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, with the support of the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit.
- The EU will continue to speak up and act to affirm the human rights of LGBTI persons and we will combat violence and hate speech based on SOGI – in times of peace and in times of conflict. We will continue our efforts to promote legal, political and financial anti-discrimination measures in close co-operation with civil society and relevant Council of Europe bodies.
The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino and Ukraine