EU sends mixed message on human rights of LGBT people

The European Parliament on 22 April 2004 reconfirmed its commitment to human
rights by adopting a resolution focussing on human rights in the world. The
text speaks out for the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation and clearly spells out, inter alia, the importance of
reproductive rights. It explicitly mentions human rights violations of gay
men in Egypt and is a welcome, if somewhat vague contribution to anchoring
LGBT rights in the EU‚s human rights policy.

It comes at an important moment, only weeks after the parliament report on
fundamental rights in the EU was voted down on 1 April. Drafted by MEP
Boumediene the report would have spoken out in favour of sexual rights,
including the right of gay and lesbian couples to adopt and marry and the
fully equal rights to free movement in the EU of unmarried partnerships, be
they heterosexual or homosexual. The ensuing heated debate and subsequent
rejection illustrate clearly the continued divisive attitudes to LGBT rights
concerns even at EU level.

The same phenomenon could be observed at the UN Commission on Human Rights.
The Brazilian draft resolution on human rights and sexual orientation, which
sought only to reaffirm human rights long-established in international law,
was again postponed to next year‚s session after opposition by a number of
states. Despite the European Parliament‚s and the EU Presidency‚s express
commitment to support the Brazilian resolution, the EU failed to speak in a
unified voice for the full enjoyment of human rights by all persons
irrespective of their sexual orientation after Italy refused to express its
support.

„At the eve of enlargement it is imperative that the EU stands firmly by its
commitment to human rights. It has a vital role to play both at the domestic
and the international level", explains ILGA-Europe board member Philipp
Braun. „We hope the Parliament will take the lead and guide all future 25
member states towards achieving full legal and social equality of its gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens."

Birgit Hardt
Public Affairs Officer / ILGA Europe