In a report adopted on 28th April 2016, the European Parliament expresses its concern over online homo- and transphobic hate speech, and calls for strong measures to counter online hate speech. The demands are made in the report on Gender equality and empowering women in the digital age. The report urges  the Commission to demand

In the last of its annual progress reports on accession countries, the European Parliament evaluated the situation in Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, including the situation of LGBTI people. Earlier this year, the Parliament already evaluated progress in Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and FYR Macedonia. In its report on Turkey, parliament highlights its concerns with

Central Asia: European Parliament concerned about state of LGBTI rights

In a report adopted last week on the EU’s relationship with Central Asia, the European Parliament has made a strong call to respect democracy, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of LGBTI people, in the region. The report highlights the parliament’s concern over freedom of the media, freedom of expression, and

On 4th of April, 2016 the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights addressed the European Comission urging to spead up the investigation regarding LGL’s appeal under the EU Directive Infringement Process. The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights requests a report on European Comission’s findings regarding the compatibility of the Lithuanian law on the ‘Protection

European Parliament calls on Kosovo and Serbia to step up efforts on LGBTI rights

Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted two of its annual progress reports for candidate and potential candidate EU countries. MEPs have assessed the rights of LGBTI people in Serbia and Kosovo, and recommended the countries to improve the situation. Discrimination, hate speech and hate crime against LGBTI people, remain a strong concern for the Parliament in both

European Parliament: promote EU fundamental values through education

The members of the European Parliament adopted a report on promoting EU fundamental values through intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and education. A great majority (554 for, 147 against) in the European Parliament voted in favour of a report on the role of intercultural dialogue, cultural diversity and education in promoting EU fundamental values. The report

In a resolution the European Parliament has expressed its concern regarding “discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.” The adopted text is a recommendation from the Parliament to EU Member States to speak out for LGBTI people at the United Nations Human Rights

Open letter to Lithuanian Parliament: Reject bill targeting LGBTI people

The Parliament of Lithuania will vote tomorrow on a bill that seeks to introduce fines for any public denigration of “constitutional family values.”   According to the proposal, actions as carrying out public speeches, demonstrating goods, posters, slogans and audio-visual materials, as well as organizing public events such as Baltic Pride would result in an

Parliament demands Commission and Member States to tackle homophobia in schools

The European Parliament agreed that the European Commission and Member States should work together to tackle homophobia and transphobia in education. The report, authored by Portuguese Member Liliana Rodrigues, calls on the Commission to “combat discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings.” Furthermore, it “urges the Commission to support

Parliament strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s suppression LGBTI people

Last Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, in which it denounces the intimidation and repression of LGBTI people, as well as those defending their rights. The overall human rights situation in Azerbaijan has deteriorated continuously over the last few years, with many independent journalists and civil society