1498th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers (7 May 2024) - EU Statement ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May

PRINT

1498th Meeting of the Committee of Ministers (7 May 2024) - EU Statement ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May

07.05.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia have no place in the European Union or anywhere in the world. Ensuring that no one is left behind requires us to focus on fighting inequalities and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Equality, freedom and justice must apply to everyone regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBTI persons worldwide continue to be target of violence, discrimination, and stigmatisation. In too many places, LGBTI persons are excluded and under attack for who they are, and who they love. The EU strongly condemns laws, which criminalise consensual same sex conduct. Such laws violate international human rights law, regional legal instruments and even national constitutions.

On IDAHOT Day, and every day, we call on governments around the world to repeal discriminatory legislation, take action to tackle and eliminate hate crimes and hate speech, prevent all forms of violence against LGBTI persons, and tackle structural and institutional barriers and biases that still limit the participation of LGBTI persons in decision-making and political processes.

We welcome the significant progress achieved within the Council of Europe member States and at the European level, notably through the trailblazing role of the European Court of Human Rights. We have witnessed reforms to address the matters of equality and non-discrimination, we have passed legislation and have created new institutions to protect fundamental human rights. We strongly welcome all positive developments that have been achieved often thanks to tireless efforts of human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and civil society. We acknowledge the respective work done by the Council of Europe Secretariat.

The EU continues to work with partners on inclusive laws and policies. We welcome, support and work closely with civil society and defenders of the human rights of LGBTI persons, who so often continue to face intimidation, harassment and threats.

Inclusive policies make a difference. We will continue working to build, not just imagine, a world in which equality thrives and every person can reach their full potential and live free and equal.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Ukraine.