17 May 2011 – International Day against Homophobia: Europe is far from being able to claim the title of LGBT human rights and equality champions, says Co-Chair of ILGA Europe
Every year on 17 May, the international day against homophobia is observed. With this occasion, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton issued a statement by which she reaffirms “the strong commitment of the European Union [and herself] to the entitlement of all persons to enjoy the full range of human rights without discrimination”.
Around the world, sexual orientation continues to be used as means for serious human rights violations. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons are continually persecuted and discriminated against, around 80 states making same-sex relations a criminal offense, punishable by death in seven. Speaking on behalf of the EU, Ashton has called on these countries “to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
She also welcomed the Joint Statement on behalf of 85 countries at the UN Human Rights Council of 22 March 2011 entitled: “Ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation & gender identity”.
In Europe, there is no country that can claim to provide full legal equality to LGBT persons, according to a report released by ILGA Europe to coincide with the International Day against Homophobia. As revealed by its findings, Cyprus is the worst performing EU country in terms of its legislation and practices which protect or violate the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons, scoring the same as Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia. Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus are the only European countries that did worse by these criteria, Ukraine coming up last (-4 points in the index).
The index notes that in the case of Cyprus, anti-discrimination articles referring to gender identity or sexual orientation are lacking in the Constitution, employment being however an area in which the sexual orientation of a person is codified in law as an anti-discriminatory measure. Moreover, there is no legal recognition of same-sex partnerships or parenting, whereas criminal laws against hate crimes or speeches are inexistent when it comes to issues such as gender identity or sexual orientation.
On the other end of the spectrum, UK, Sweden and Spain are ranked highest in the index, but according to ILGA Europe, there is still room for improvement. Germany and Portugal are noted to have progressed in the past year, but Cyprus, Italy, Latvia and Malta have stagnated while Hungary and Lithuania are in risk of regress.
“Europe considers itself a global leader on human rights and equality, but the Map and the Index clearly show how far we are from being able to claim the title of LGBT human rights and equality champions”, said Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board. “We hope that European institutions and European countries will make a good use of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia and our latest Rainbow Europe Map and Index to reassess progress, acknowledge the whole range of unresolved problems and affirm their commitments to fight discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity”, added the other Co-Chair, Martin K.I. Christensen.
Sources:
Statement by High representative Catherine Ashton
See also the Statement by Commission Vice-President Viviane Reding regarding the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
