Today the European Parliament voted its annual report on human rights in the world. The report pays particular attention to human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and calls for increased efforts to combat the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
In relation to sexual orientation and gender identity, the report:
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, reacted: “MEPs across the political spectrum sent a clear message that human rights are no bargaining token: they are universal, indivisible, and apply equally to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people regardless of where they live. The European Parliament clearly stated that LGBT people’s fundamental rights need to be closely monitored and protected.”
Rui Tavares MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, continued: “We were particularly pleased to see the adoption of the Toolkit for the protection of LGBT people’s human rights, as well as a consistent call for the decriminalisation of homosexuality worldwide, by all mainstream political parties. I am confident we will keep moving forward in 2011.”
The report will help shaping the EU’s foreign policy in 2011, including by the newly-formed European External Action Service led by Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Read more:
Tags: decriminalisationLGBT toolkittransgenderuganda
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news« European Commission issues clear statement on mutual recognition of same-sex unions
European Parliament repeats firm opposition to Uganda’s Anti Homosexuality Bill »