InfoPoint conference: EU’s engagement on protecting the rights of LGBTIQ persons in external relations

The LGBTIQ strategy sets out the policy objectives and key actions to advance LGBTIQ equality across several pillars, including one on strengthening the EU’s engagement on LGBTIQ issues in all its external relations.

In this context, and on the occasion of Diversity Month and IDAHOT 2023, INTPA is organising a hybrid InfoPoint session on the EU’s engagement on protecting the rights of LGBTIQ persons in external relations.

Its main aim is to present to a large and public audience the EU's operational engagement toward the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ rights. Furthermore, the conference aims at giving voice to LGBTIQ activists and to partners who are implementing actions in countries where organisations and LGBTIQ human rights defenders are under threat.

The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex persons and all other persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identity, or expressions, and sex characteristics. The date May 17th was chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders.

The theme of IDAHOT 2023 is ‘Together always: United in Diversity’: at a time when hard-won advances for LGBTIQ communities around the globe are increasingly under threat, the power of solidarity, allyship, and community across national borders, and movements has never been more important.

Still, in 2023, 67 countries have discriminatory legislations that criminalize private, consensual same-sex relationships – exposing individuals to the risk of arrest, prosecution, imprisonment, and, in at least five countries, the death penalty .

According to the ILGA Europe 2023 annual review of the human rights situation of LGBTIQ people covering events that occurred in Europe and Central Asia , the work of activists, human rights defenders, and other actors to protect LGBTIQ people and advance freedom and rights has been increasingly beleaguered by attacks and restrictions on civil society space, with LGBTIQ organisations being prime targets of among other things, anti-NGO legislation and proposed limitations; furthermore, LGBTIQ human rights defenders have been targeted by increasing physical aggressions, threats, and hate campaigns.

The EU is a strong defender of the human rights of LGBTIQ persons globally. Equality and non-discrimination are part of EU core values, as emphasized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Treaties, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Hence, the increasing EU engagement to act for the protection of such values, both at the political and operational level.

The EU existing internal and external policies are based on a non-discriminatory approach and address multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. The LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025 sets out a series of measures to step up the EU’s non-discrimination action, to mainstream LGBTIQ equality into all EU policies, legislation, and funding programs, and to amplify the voices of LGBTIQ people both within and outside the EU's borders. On the basis of its principles and policy framework, the EU is making specific efforts through its support to civil society organisations working on the frontline to combat violence, hatred, and discrimination, and ensure that LGBTIQ rights are upheld in partner countries.

This conference aims at presenting the EU’s strong engagement toward the promotion and protection of LGBTIQ rights in its external action. It also seeks to provide a space for activists and partners working on LGBTIQ rights to share their experiences and views on the current situation regarding LGBTIQ rights and on how to strengthen further efforts for the protection of LGBTIQ rights.

Speakers

• Micha RAMAKERS, Deputy Head of Unit INTPA G1 – Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance
• Chloé LAURENS-DINSDALE, Team Leader NEAR.A.2 – Rule of Law, Governance and Security, NEAR Equality Coordinator
• Stephanie LEITCH, Senior officer, Decriminalisation project, ILGA
• Aisha MUGHAL, transgender woman activist, Wajood Society, Pakistan
• Elena PETROVSKA, activist for the human rights of the LGBTI people, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of North Macedonia LGBTIQ rights activist, Coalition Margins, North Macedonia
• Anna MMOLAI-CHALMERS, Programme Manager LGBTI, Sex Work & Disability, Southern Africa Litigation Centre

Language of conference: English

Language of Q&A session: English, French

Registration

Online participation (Webex)

On site (InfoPoint)