Ending violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity

"Around the world, gender identity and sexual orientation continue to be used wrongly as the pretext for serious human rights violations," said Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission. 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons continue to fall victim to persecution, discrimination and gross ill-treatment, often involving extreme forms of violence. Around 80 States still criminalise same-sex relations between consenting adults, and seven even foresee the death penalty. This is incompatible with international human rights law. 

The EU was part of a cross-regional alliance that initiated in the UN General Assembly a statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity on 18 December 2008, which was supported by a group 66 nations. The EU warmly welcomes the increasing commitment across the international community to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is evidenced with the adoption this year at the Human Rights Council of a Joint Statement entitled "Ending acts of violence and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation & gender identity" and a resolution on "human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity", both of which were supported by states from all regions. 

The EU believes that continued, respectful and open dialogue on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity among UN Member States from all regions is indispensible. The EU fully supports the organisation of a panel discussion on 'discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity' during the March 2012 session of the Human Rights Council and looks forward to the High Commissioner's related study. 

Ahead of Human Rights Day, the European Union would like to reaffirm its strong commitment to the entitlement of all persons to enjoy the full range of human rights without discrimination. In June 2010 the EU adopted a "Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by LGBT People", which provides it with an operational set of tools to promote and protect the human rights enjoyed by LGBT people within its external action. In this context, the EU calls on all States to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Together with a coalition of Member States and NGOs, the EU on 8 December 2011 is organising a side event: "Stop Bullying: ending violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity". It intends to raise awareness about the human rights of LGBT persons and to prepare for the panel discussion at the 19^th session of the Human Rights Council in March 2012.

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• Malaysia: EU HR Ashton welcomes the acquittal of Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy (9/1/2012)
• Gender equality: encouraging first results of EU Gender Action Plan in developing countries (15/12/2011)
• Speech by EU HR Catherine Ashton on the Annual Human Rights Report (13/12/2011)
• STOP BULLYING: Ending violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (8/12/2011)
• Side Event: Stop Bullying - Ending Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (7/12/2011)
• Statement by EU HR/VP Ashton on 'Sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN Human Rights Council' (29/9/2011)
• EU Declaration by EU HR Ashton on International Day against Homophobia - 17 May 2011 (17/5/2011)
• International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO): Statement by EU Commission VP Reding (17/5/2011)