Parliament demands EU action on LGBTI rights

On 8th September the European Parliament adopted a new comprehensive report on fundamental rights in the EU. Defying an attempt by the EPP group to adopt an alternative report which would have deleted nearly all content on LGBTI rights and other relevant human rights issues, the final report includes an extensive section of the situation for

European Parliament urges Lithuania to recognize same-sex unions

On the 8th of September, 2015 the European Parliament voted in support of a report on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU (2013-2014) [Ferrara report]. The report contains a number of LGBTI specific recommendations: Calls on the European Commission to put forward an action plan or strategy at EU level for equality on

European Parliament: Neighbourhood Policy to address LGBTI rights

On the 9th of July the European Parliament voted to put human rights, including of LGBTI people, at the heart of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The Parliament emphasises  the “need to focus on strengthening and consolidating … respect for diversity and the rights of minorities, including … the rights of LGBTI persons.” (see par. 22)

LGBTI activist voices – is anyone in Europe listening?

Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe Check your calendars. Infringements of fundamental rights, like freedom of expression, association, and assembly inside the European Union’s borders in 2015 – surely there is some mistake? No, unfortunately, that is not a misprint. LGBTI activists and human rights NGOs are being increasingly impeded in their daily work and

EuroPride 2015: ALDE4Equality advocates LGBTI rights in Riga

MEPs Sophie in ‘t Veld and Izaskun Bilbao, vice-presidents of the ALDE Group, will be in Riga this weekend to join the Europride 2015 and meet key players in the field of LGBTI rights, including the representatives of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL. During the meeting with LGL’s representatives the MEPs will discuss the

On the 25th of May, 2015 the national LGBT* rights organization LGL received a notice from the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman’s Office of the Republic of Lithuania stating that potential complaints about discrimination on the basis of gender identity received by the Office would be investigated under the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men

Commissioner Jourová committed to LGBTI action plan in 2015

In a debate with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on Tuesday, Justice commissioner Vera Jourová confirmed her commitment to create a roadmap or action plan on LGBTI rights. In response to oral questions by Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP and Helga Stevens MEP, Vice-President and Member of the LGBTI Intergroup,

MEP A. Guoga: “Deliver Lithuania from Fear”

I’m happy about the success of Lithuania’s performance on the 21st of May, 2015. I returned from Strasbourg to Brussels in time to watch the duo’s Eurovision performance together with all of Lithuania. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to vote from Belgium, but I definitely did during the finals. However, the joy of making it into

The adoption of the European Union’s Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2013, by the European Parliament on March 12th 2015, acts as a significant moment for human rights internationally.  The report candidly calls for Lithuanian legislators to follow Moldova’s footsteps in annulling any and all laws prohibiting the propagation of

EP Vice-President Criticizes Lithuania for Violating LGBT* Rights

Amid the European Commission’s (EC) analysis whether the Lithuanian Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information is in line the EU acquis, a group of MEPs on February 26th, 2015 criticized the Baltic state for the continuing discrimination of LGBT* people, reports Lithuanian news agency BNS. “I think we