On Wednesday 27 March, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) published a comparative analysis of national LGBTIQ equality action plans.
This report, carried out by human rights researchers Pieter Cannoot and Cathérine Van de Graaf, responds to the urgent need to make progress towards equality, in view of a survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights having revealed that 43% of LGBTIQ people still felt discriminated against.
Following on from the Commission’s LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (see EUROPE 13346/14), this analysis looks at the implementation of action plans in the 12 Member States that have developed such a roadmap.
These initiatives, which are varied and sometimes regional or local, reflect a growing but still insufficient commitment on the part of governments to promote equality.
The report calls for political commitment, transparency and the mobilisation of resources to ensure the success of these policies. It also reveals the effectiveness of systematic and integrated approaches, with examples such as Malta and Portugal standing out for their progressive and detailed action plans, supported by precise indicators and rigorous monitoring. In addition, the creation in France and Malta of permanent bodies dedicated to drawing up and monitoring these plans is highlighted as a best practice.
However, the report also highlights persistent obstacles, such as the absence of measurable objectives and the lack of empirical data in some States, which compromises the assessment of the impact of the actions undertaken.
The intersectional approach, which is particularly valued in Belgium, is recommended to ensure an adequate response to the specific needs of each member of the LGBTIQ community.
Read the full analysis: https://aeur.eu/f/bmg (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)