EU Member States to commit to efforts to prevent violence against LGBTI community

On Wednesday 31 May, the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper 2) will vote on conclusions renewing the Union’s commitments to protecting LGBTI people. Drawn up by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, these conclusions follow reports from the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) and civil society of an increase in threats against LGBTI people (see EUROPE 13125/22).

Protection against violence

The Council has made a commitment to “promote and support” the fundamental right of every person in the EU to be free from violence, harassment and discrimination. It also promises to keep the safety of LGBTI people “on the political agenda”.

At the same time, the text calls on the Member States to prevent all forms of violence, including online violence, targeting this community. It also stresses that equality bodies play a central role, both in protecting the individuals concerned and in monitoring developments in the national situation.

The text also pays particular attention to the safety of the LGBTI community “in times of crises” and to its members in “situation[s] of increased vulnerability”, such as asylum seekers and refugees.

At an EU level

The conclusions also take note of the European Commission’s progress report on the EU strategy for LGBTI equality and urge it to provide a mid-term review by the end of 2023 (see EUROPE 13160/19). The text also calls on the Commission to continue its efforts to prevent violence against LGBTI communities, in particular by supporting the efforts of Member States and ensuring adequate funding for civil society organisations.

Finally, the text calls on the Commission and the EU High Representative to continue to advocate for the decriminalisation of consensual same-sex relationships and to ensure that the equal treatment of LGBTI people “continues to be addressed in the context of the accession negotiation process of candidate countries and in the stabilisation and association process”.

To see the conclusions, go to https://aeur.eu/f/74e (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)