European Union urges governments to repeal legislation against LGTBI people

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrellurged all governments this Thursday to promote the repeal of discriminatory legislation and the application of measures to combat violence against people LGTBI.

In a statement on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the head of community diplomacy denounced that LGTBI people “continue to be targets of violence, discrimination and stigmatization”, at a time of “worrying setbacks and retractions on a global scale.”

On the other hand, Borrell applauded that “Last year two other countries decriminalized consensual same-sex relationships” as well as the “legal improvements” regarding the human rights of this group in several countries.

Borrell also expressed his support for the defenders of the LGTBI community “with whom we work closely” and who “frequently continue to suffer intimidation, harassment and threats.”

“The EU strongly condemns laws that criminalize consensual same-sex relationships. “These laws violate international human rights law, regional legal instruments and even national constitutions.”highlighted the High Representative in a statement.

He also added that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia “have no place in the European Union or anywhere else in the world.”

“Equality, freedom and justice must apply to all people, regardless of their status.” sexual orientation real or perceived and their gender identity”Borrell highlighted according to this letter.

In addition, it encouraged taking measures to eliminate obstacles and “structural biases” that limit the participation of LGTBIQ+ people in political and decision-making processes.

According to the study ‘The equality of LGBTIQ people at a crossroads: progress and challenges’, carried out by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), more and more people in the group are open about who they are but, at the same time, They face more violence, harassment and intimidation than before.

The findings of this survey, carried out on more than 100,000 people from the 27 EU countries plus Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, reveal “sYosigns of slow but gradual progress.”

The study highlights that more than one in three people faces discrimination in their daily lives, a small decrease from two in five in 2019, but says discrimination remains invisible, with only one in ten reporting incidents.

Also, it highlights that one in two LGBTIQ+ people were victims of harassment motivated by hate, compared to one in three in 2019.

It also ensures that the quotas skyrocket for intersex, transsexual, non-binary and gender diverse people, these being the ones who face the most harassment and violence.

Along these lines, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also states that transsexual people in Europe suffer discrimination and difficulties in accessing health care and even rejection by medical specialists.

In Europe, 13% of transsexual women, 10% of transsexual men and 8% of intersex people said they had been denied treatment, MSF highlighted in a statement.