At the ‘Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs’ Council (‘EPSCO’) on 17 October (see EUROPE 13733/1), which adopted conclusions on the implementation of the 2024 directive on violence against women and domestic violence, the ministers also discussed consent and the new LGBTIQ+ Strategy 2026-2030. Magnus Heunicke, the Danish Minister for the Environment and Gender Equality, discusses these priorities at a time when his country holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU (interview by Nithya Paquiry).
Agence Europe: Today, the ministers adopted the EU Council conclusions on the prevention, detection and response to violence against women and domestic violence. How are you ensuring that these commitments accelerate the implementation of the 2024 directive (see EUROPE 13431/33) rather than remaining mere declarations?
Magnus Heunicke: We cannot accept the status quo. Every day, women are murdered by their partners (UN Women estimates that around 2,300 women/girls were killed in Europe in 2023 by an intimate partner or family member: Editor’s note) - this is an epidemic. That is why we must promote new ways of dealing with these cases, from healthcare professionals to the judicial system. Some Member States have already taken measures, such as Denmark, which shows that it is possible. But we must keep up the pressure, because without political will, change will not happen quickly enough.
During the informal lunch, the ministers discussed the notion of consent. Its absence from the 2024 directive establishing a European definition of rape is seen, particularly by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 13715/28), as a political failure. Do you think there is currently momentum to reopen the debate?
Yes, I think we are in a dynamic situation. And I want to be clear: I regret that the 2024 directive did not include a common definition of rape based on consent at EU level. But many countries have evolved over the last three to five years and introduced this definition at national level - and the available data do not show any obvious judicial abuses to date in Denmark or elsewhere (the 2023 GREVIO - Council of Europe report welcomes the introduction in Denmark in 2020 without mentioning any major judicial abuses to date: Editor’s note). This is important: the debate is about freedom – women’s freedom not to live in fear, and a standard that protects dignity throughout Europe.
Moving on to the rights of LGBTIQ+ people: on 8 October the Commission presented its new 2026-2030 strategy (see EUROPE 13726/1), but associations such as ILGA-Europe believe that the text lacks ambition. How do you respond to that?
I understand these concerns. Strategies are important, but they are not enough on their own. We need concrete action: ensuring that people can love whom they want without fear, ensuring that discrimination is not tolerated in any Member State. We must follow up on issues such as the ban on conversion practices and the full recognition of families. Otherwise, trust in Europe will erode.
Member States expressed their support this morning, but we should note that there is a backlash in Europe - with the ban on Pride Marches in Hungary (see EUROPE 13670/17) - and elsewhere, notably in the United States. How can the Presidency of the EU Council make its voice heard without fuelling polarisation?
We must not be afraid of debate. I am convinced that the vast majority of Europeans support freedom and equality. Our job is to stand firm on our values: love is love. This is non-negotiable, whatever cultural or political excuses some may invoke. Of course, compromise is part of Europe, but compromise cannot mean giving up fundamental rights.
Denmark is often cited as a pioneer: marriage for all, rainbow parenting, consent-based law. How do you reconcile this image with the necessary search for compromise to rally more reluctant states?
Being a pioneer comes with responsibilities. We cannot impose, but we can inspire. By showing that reforms work, that they strengthen freedom, security and social cohesion, we make it more difficult for others to say that it is impossible. Europe is moving forward step by step, but these steps must always be forward, not backwards.