News for December, 2013
Nigeria and Uganda adopt harsh anti-LGBT laws in same week
On Tuesday 17 December, the Senate of Nigeria adopted the ‘Same-sex marriage (prohibition) bill’, criminalising displays of affection, people in a same-sex marriage (including tourists), and anyone arguing in favour of LGBT people’s human rights. Today, the Ugandan Parliament also …
Read more →
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 20th, 2013
Committee on civil liberties adopts recommendation for an EU roadmap against homophobia
This morning, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) adopted an own initiative report on an EU Roadmap against homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Tags: roadmapPosted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 17th, 2013
European Commission Vice-President boycotts Sochi over minority rights
Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, has announced that she would not attend the Olympic Games in Russia this winter. On Monday, she tweeted that she would “certainly not go to Sochi as long as minorities are treated the way they are under the current Russian legislation”.
Tags: european commission freedom of assembly freedom of expression propaganda law russiaPosted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 16th, 2013
EU Court of Justice: Same-sex partners must have same work benefits as married couples
Last Thursday the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that an employee entering a same-sex civil partnership should receive the same benefits as an employee entering a marriage, in the absence of same-sex marriage.
Tags: Court of Justice of the European Union employment non-discriminationPosted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 16th, 2013
Human rights in the world: Parliament’s annual report points to serious abuses for LGBTI people
Yesterday, the European Parliament voted its annual report on human rights in the world. The report reviews the situation of human rights (including the human rights of LGBTI persons) worldwide, and makes annual recommendations for EU action. Initially drafted by Eduard …
Read more →
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 12th, 2013
European Parliament adopts financial package to promote human rights in the world in 2014-2020
The European Parliament has just adopted its seven-year financial programme to support democracy and human rights in the world. In the period 2014-2020, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights will specifically seek to fund projects and organisations working for the human rights …
Read more →
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 11th, 2013
Indian Supreme Court re-criminalises same-sex activity
India’s Supreme Court today ruled to re-criminalise same-sex intercourse. This major human rights setback means citizens in the 1.2 billion nation can again be arrested and prosecuted on the basis of consensual same-sex activity.
Tags: decriminalisation India non-discriminationPosted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 11th, 2013
European Parliament rejects resolution on sexual and reproductive health rights
Today the plenary of the European Parliament rejected a report on sexual and reproductive health rights. The text called for access to safe and legal abortion, non-discrimination, and the right to access healthcare and sexuality education.
Tags: sexual and reproductive health rightsPosted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 10th, 2013
European Parliament adopts EU financial package on rights and equality for 2014-2020
Today the European Parliament has adopted the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the period 2014-2020. The €439 million programme will contribute to combating homophobia and discrimination against transsexual persons. The programme merges three separate programmes that ran between 2007 …
Read more →
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 10th, 2013
MEPs regret outcome of referendum banning same-sex marriage
In yesterday’s referendum, two thirds of voters in Croatia opted to define marriage as ‘matrimony between a man and a woman’ in the constitution. The outcome will make it harder to open marriage to all couples in the future. The …
Read more →
Posted in: Press releases, Recent news on December 2nd, 2013
2010 The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights