Two more arrests for homosexuality in the north of Cyprus
February 1st, 2012
Two men were brought before a court in the northern part of Cyprus, accused of having taken part in ‘acts against nature’. The northern part of Cyprus is the last territory in Europe where homosexuality is a crime.
Eleni THEOCHAROUS and Michael CASHMAN MEPs
Following the highly visible arrest of former minister Michael Sarris and two other men in October 2011 for the same reasons, community leader Derviş Eroğlu had promised the Criminal Code would be amended.
Articles 171 and 173 currently foresee five years’ imprisonment for homosexual acts, and three years’ imprisonment for ‘attempts to commit [these] crimes’.
However, Turkish community sources report that two men in prison for previous offences were brought to court on 29 January, accused of ‘acts against nature’. The men did not have lawyers representing them.
The LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament is highly worried that Mr Eroğlu’s promise to repeal sections 171-173 of the Criminal Code is not followed by tangible actions. In a letter to Marina Yannakoudakis MEP, Mr Eroğlu had pledged he would help amend legislation. The change proposed in parliament by the Communal Democratic Party has not yet been voted into law.
Eleni Theocharous MEP, a Cypriot member of the LGBT Intergroup, commented: “The prosecution of citizens based solely on their sexual preference constitutes a vulgar violation of elementary human rights. I call upon the regime subordinate to Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus to immediately release the two men and desist from any legal action against them.”
She added: “I call upon the European Parliament and the international community to exert pressure on Turkey for the solution of the Cyprus problem, so that the EU’s ‘acquis communautaire’ is consequently implemented throughout Cyprus”
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the LGBT Intergroup, continued: “The current Criminal Code wreaks lives, and Derviş Eroğlu’s promise must be followed by steadfast action. I will personally go to Cyprus in order to meet him, other leaders and NGOs, and encourage repealing this outdated piece of legislation which has no place in Europe—or anywhere in the world.”
While Michael Sarris crossed the border to the Republic of Cyprus (in the south) escaping prosecution, the two men arrested in October 2011 are still under investigation in the north of the island.
Tags: cyprus, decriminalisation
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President of the European Parliament and MEPs pledge support for LGBT rights
January 26th, 2012
Yesterday the President of the European Parliament and dozens of Members gathered in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people’s rights. MEPs reiterated their commitment to mark the middle of the current mandate.
Members of the European Parliament marked the middle of their five-year mandate by taking part in a gathering for the rights of LGBT people. ILGA-Europe* and the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament jointly organised a two-day event to reminding MEPs of political priorities to uphold LGBT people’s rights in the EU.
After the event, a total of 184 Members of the European Parliament had signed ILGA-Europe’s Be Bothered Pledge, a 10-point manifesto first launched during the 2009 European elections. Signatories from 23 Member States and six different political groups committed to upholding the rights of LGBT people in their votes.
Support for the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament also increased. Several MEPs joined the Parliament’s second largest intergroup, with 127 members from 22 Member States and 5 political groups.
Martin Schulz MEP, President of the European Parliament, addressed MEPs declaring his support for the pledge and declared that “as the President of the European Parliament, you can count on me to join the fight for the goals of equality laid out in the Be Bothered Pledge.”
Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs, Co-presidents of the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament, commented: “We are pleased so many colleagues turned up, and of course that our new president added his important support. LGBT rights are gathering ever more allies from across the political spectrum, and the next two and a half years will be crucial to achieve much-needed progress in Europe.”
Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe, continued: “We are very pleased that MEPs increasingly support the human rights of LGBT people. So far the Be Bothered! Pledge has been signed by MEPs from all but one political group. Europe is witnessing an increase of extreme and intolerant views. Therefore MEPs’ support and commitment are crucial for keeping the EU free from extremism, hatred, and discrimination.”
Read more:
*: ILGA-Europe is the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association
All photos are © European Union 2012
Tags: european parliament
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Homophobic MEPs quizz Commission on equality funding
January 25th, 2012
Right-wing populist Member of the European Parliament Godfrey Bloom has asked several written questions to the European Commission, challenging the legitimacy of European funding to fight homophobia and transphobia.
Mr Bloom, a member of the UK Independence Party, asked the Commission to justify the grants given to ILGA-Europe, the main European organisation working in favour of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
The member asks the Commission whether it is aware of the origins of ILGA-Europe’s funding, inferring that it disqualifies the organisation from legitimately working on equality for LGBT people.
ILGA-Europe have explained their funding structure in details. As any other European equality network, ILGA-Europe’s funding is regularly overseen by the European Parliament. Its accounts are available publicly, are audited regularly, and appear to satisfy all relevant regulations.
Mr Bloom took his cue from three different articles on Turtle Bay and Beyond, an incendiary ultra-conservative blog constantly attacking women’s and LGBT rights around the world. The blog is maintained by C-FAM (the “Catholic and Human Rights Institute”), a notoriously conservative lobby based in the USA.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the LGBT Intergroup, commented: “After bullying a female colleague for being openly lesbian, and making Nazi remarks towards Martin Schulz who is now the President of the European Parliament, Mr Bloom starts harassing LGBT organisations. He is a true role model for bullies around Europe.”
Nikki Sinclaire, an openly lesbian MEP, has accused Mr Bloom of abusively calling her “queer”.
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, reacted: “Mr Bloom’s attempt to undermine European funding is unworthy of exposure. He should focus on the substantial question, which is equality and non-discrimination. But I don’t expect this from a colleague who believes women’s rights are a waste of time. Thankfully, he doesn’t represent the majority of decent British people.”
Konrad Szymański, a Polish right-wing MEP had asked a similar question last month. The European Commission will answer these questions in the coming weeks.
Read more:
- Question to the Commission: ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian and Gay Association) funding
- Question to the Commission: ILGA funding
- Question to the Commission: ILGA funding via EuropeAid
- Question to the Commission: ILGA funding and other lobby groups
- Question to the Commission: ILGA-Europe funding and UN standards
Updated at 17:10
Tags: european parliament, homophobia
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Swedish government upholds forced sterilisation for transgender people
January 16th, 2012
Members of the Swedish government announced last week the governing coalition would not seek to repeal current requirements for transgender people to be sterilised before the state recognises their gender. Members of the European Parliament call on Sweden to press ahead with these changes.
Sweden currently requires transgender people to undergo sterilisation before they see their gender officially recognised. The European Commissioner for Human Rights has argued this amounts to degrading treatment, in breach of the right to dignity and physical integrity.
Forced sterilisation breaches Article 3 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which protects the right to physical integrity. The European Parliament had already called for the World Health Organization to stop classifying transgender people as mentally ill.
Other European countries such as Austria, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom recently ended state-enforced sterilisation, with the Netherlands expected to do so in early 2012. Sweden previously pushed for positive human rights and transgender policies within the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.
Raül Romeva i Rueda, Green MEP from Spain, commented: “The government’s decision is rather surprising: forcibly sterilising transgender people is recognised as inhumane across the political spectrum. It’s barbaric, outdated and highly unnecessary—not to mention against Sweden’s human rights commitments.”
Sirpa Pietikäinen, Finnish centre-right MEP, added that “Mr Reinfeldt’s government should remember that a person’s dignity and integrity are cornerstone values for Christian Democrats. For transgender people, this means being free to undergo the changes they wish to, no more and no less. This isn’t about LGBT rights; it’s about human rights and torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.”
Tags: sweden, transgender
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Catherine Ashton and MEPs receive petition on freedom of speech in Russia
December 13th, 2011
Today the High Representative of the European Union Catherine Ashton and Members of the European Parliament received a petition with almost 250,000 signatures, urging them to support the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Russia.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Presidents of the LGBT Intergroup received a petition by AllOut.org with 246,245 signatures from around the world. Upon receiving it today in Strasbourg, Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs said that “it was extremely important to receive this petition together with Baroness Ashton.”
Baroness Catherine Ashton (centre), Ulrike Lunacek MEP (left) and Michael Cashman MEP (right).© European Union
The Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg is currently examining a bill to outlaw any public mention of homosexuality or transgender issues. The draft law also compares homosexuality to paedophilia. Similar laws are already in place in two Russian regions, and lawmakers in Moscow and at the federal level are also said to consider restricting freedom of expression.
Michael Cashman and Ulrike Lunacek both declared: “We warmly welcome Catherine Ashton’s assurance that she will raise this issue directly with the Russian Prime Minister. The issue of equal rights for LGBT people and freedom of expression (as well as fair elections!) is very dear to all Europeans—and Russians are Europeans too.”
Andre Banks, co-founder of AllOut.org added: “This is a great victory: because hundreds of thousands around the world joined AllOut.org to raise their voice, Russian activists have been heard at the highest level of the international community. But we need to continue the fight, and stay mobilized with our friends in Russia until this homophobic bill is repealed.”
Today, MEPs in the LGBT Intergroup sent a letter to the European Court of Human Rights, asking them to examine the case ‘Bayev against Russia’ as soon as possible. This lawsuit asks the court whether banning public mentions of homosexuality is legal under the European Convention on Human Rights.
MEPs had previously addressed another letter to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg, urging the Assembly not to examine the law. Tomorrow, the European Parliament will adopt a resolution on the upcoming EU-Russia Summit, which will condemn these proposed laws.
Update (14 December 2011): 24 hours after the petition was received, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it “condemns the recent proposals to criminalise public information about sexual orientation and gender identity in various Russian regions and at federal level”.
Read more:
- Download the high-resolution photo
- Read MEPs’ open letter to the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg
- Read the European Parliament’s resolution on the EU-Russia Summit from 14 December 2011
Tags: freedom of expression, russia
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European Parliament calls on Croatia to adopt national action plan for LGBT rights
December 1st, 2011
Today the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the accession of Croatia to the European Union. Among other requirements, the text calls on the future Member State to combat homophobia and prevent homophobic violence. The Parliament’s call follows this year’s Pride march in Split, which was subject to violent attacks.
In the text adopted today, the European Parliament says it “is deeply concerned by the violence against participants in the LGBT pride march in Split on 11 June 2011 and the inability of the Croatian authorities to protect the participants”.
Furthermore, the Parliament “urges the Croatian authorities fully to investigate and prosecute the crimes committed and to develop strategies for preventing similar incidents in the future”, and “calls on the Croatian authorities quickly to adopt and implement an action plan against homophobia”.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, commented: “The European Parliament has consistently called for the protection of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Europe, including in the Western Balkans. The work of some local and national authorities in Croatia is slowly leading to a better situation for everyone, but more is needed to ensure LGBT people can live free from fear and discrimination in South-Eastern Europe.”
Marije Cornelissen, a Dutch MEP member of the LGBT Intergroup and author of the paragraph on LGBT rights, said after the votes: “Croatia will be welcome in the European Union in 2013, but until then—and once it has become a Member State—it will need to pay close attention to the rights of minorities.”
Ms Cornelissen further added: “During Split Pride earlier this year, local authorities were unable to protect me and other participants from violent demonstrators. I look forward to the day when Croatia, with the help of other European countries including the Netherlands, will adopt an action plan against homophobia and transphobia.”
Croatia is due to become the 28th Member State of the European Union in July 2013.
Read more:
- Watch the plenary speech by Ulrike Lunacek on Croatia’s accession (at 18:36:25)
- Press release: Unsafe pride event in Croatia casts shadow over accession prospects
- Priority questions to the Commission and Council on the violence at Split Pride
Tags: croatia, enlargement
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MEPs call on Nigeria to abandon new homophobic Bill
November 2nd, 2011
On Monday the Parliament of Nigeria continued examining a draft law to outlaw celebrating same-sex marriage in the West African republic. Members of the European Parliament have expressed their dismay at the unnecessary proposal in a country that already punishes homosexuality with fines, imprisonment, and the death penalty.
The National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is examining the Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill. The draft law foresees three years of prison for those entering a marriage with someone of the same sex, or already in one. The Bill does not exclude tourists or expatriates in Nigeria. Those ‘witnessing, abetting and aiding the solemnization of same gender marriage’ face fines of up to 50,000 Nigerian naira (approximately EUR 230), and imprisonment for up to five years.
The draft law was already proposed and withdrawn in 2006, and later in 2008. It worries human rights defenders, as Nigeria already foresees some of the harshest punishment for homosexuality in the world including the death penalty. No groups have made public claims to same-sex marriage.
The Bill is likely to increase stigma and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the country, and obstruct HIV/AIDS work whilst over 3 million adults live with HIV (UNAIDS, 2009 estimate).
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights, commented: “This Bill is based on the wrong idea that homosexuality is somehow ‘un-African’; but as with all other continents and times in human history, men have fallen in love with men and women with women. Regardless, the Bill doesn’t reflect the real situation in Nigeria where no one ever asked for same-sex marriages. I strongly call on our Nigerian sisters and brothers in the parliament to reject the Bill.”
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the LGBT Intergroup, further added: “There is virtually no reason to adopt such a law. It will only serve to criminalise and stigmatise even more the very people already living at the margins of society. If this Bill passes, Nigeria should expect complications in its link with the EU and its Member States, including for development aid.”
The European Parliament has yet to ratify the revised Cotonou Agreement, which regulates the relationship between the EU and 79 countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states—including Nigeria.
Tags: acp, decriminalisation, nigeria
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Historic vote extends EU asylum standards to transgender people
October 27th, 2011
Today the European Parliament formally adopted a new set of asylum rules for the European Union. The binding rules now include gender identity as a ground of persecution, which EU Member States must take into account. Governments have already agreed to the changes, which are final.
Until now, EU asylum law foresaw that “gender related aspects might be considered” by national asylum authorities when examining the potential persecution of specific social groups in their country of origin.
The resolution adopted today has replaced this text, and now specifies that “gender related aspects, including gender identity, shall be given due consideration”. The text now refers to gender identity specifically, and obliges Member States to consider gender-related aspects. Before, EU countries could still choose not to consider aspects linked to the applicant’s gender in asylum claims.
The text applies to all EU Member States except the United Kingdom, which opted out of EU asylum policies. The resolution was successfully drafted and negotiated by Jean Lambert (pictured), a British Member of the European Parliament in the Greens/EFA group.
This is the first time a binding EU Directive includes gender identity.
Dennis de Jong MEP, Vice-president of the LGBT Intergroup and responsible for asylum policies in the GUE/NGL group, commented: “Around the world, transgender people can be persecuted for who they are. This reviewed Directive will recognise the danger they face, and it will commit EU Member States to taking gender identity into account in asylum claims. I hope in a future revision it will also become mandatory to consider the sexual orientation of applicants.”
Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, Vice-president of the LGBT Intergroup, added: “I am very proud that my colleagues from the centre-right EPP group supported this change, regardless of the views they hold on asylum in general. The European Union is only starting to recognise gender identity as a ground of persecution, but I hope today’s vote will help protect more lives.”
The binding rules will apply after they are transposed into EU Member States’ national law, except for the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark which opted out of the process. Due to access the EU in July 2013, Croatia is also expected to adapt its asylum laws.
Updated at 17:00 CET
Tags: asylum, transgender
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European Parliament repeats call for EU-wide anti-discrimination Directive
October 26th, 2011
Twice this week, the European Parliament repeated it wants to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation across the EU. The Parliament formally called on EU countries to find an agreement on the draft legislation, proposed over three years ago.
The draft horizontal anti-discrimination Directive would forbid discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in access to goods and services, education, and access to social benefits. It still requires approval from all 27 EU Member States. Germany and others have refused any dialogue on the draft law, despite examining the proposals since July 2008.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it “notes that the Member States should, as a priority, agree and adopt as soon as possible the proposal for a Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment”. The text further ”calls on the [European] Commission to continue to support the overcoming of technical difficulties [between Member States] in order to ensure that a swift agreement is reached”.
And in today’s resolution, MEPs also formally called “on Member States to take the necessary steps to swiftly conclude agreement and adopt the proposal for a Council directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment”, and pointed it would help Europe achieve employment and stability targets for 2020.
Raul Romeva i Rueda MEP, Rapporteur for the Directive and Vice-president of the LGBT Intergroup, welcomed the vote: “These two votes show the European Parliament remains firmly committed to non-discrimination. We fought long and hard for this proposal, and we will outlast retrograde governments that use fallacious arguments to delay equality. It’s in Europe’s DNA to protect minorities, and we will eventually get there.”
Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP, Vice-president of the LGBT Intergroup and responsible for the text on behalf of the ALDE group, also commented: “Like the eurozone crisis, fundamental rights in the EU are weakened by huge national deficits and little enforcement of European rules. Just as we need stronger governance and sanctions for our economy, we need stronger governance and sanctions for fundamental rights. Member States must defend equality as urgently as the stability of the euro: both are absolutely vital.”
Tags: anti-discrimination directive
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3 men arrested for ‘acts against nature’: Members of the European Parliament call for their immediate release
October 19th, 2011
Last Thursday, police in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus arrested three men in their private home. After five days already spent under arrest, yesterday a court prolonged their arrest for two more days, claiming the police needed to complete its investigation for ‘conspiring to have a sexual intercourse against the order of nature’. The offence carries a penalty of up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
Former Cyprus Finance Minister Dr Michael Sarris and two other men above the age of consent may face charges under Article 171, Chapter 154 of the Criminal Code imposed on the northern part of Cyprus.
The northern part of Cyprus is the last territory in Europe where homosexuality is illegal. This is in breach of the binding European Convention on Human Rights, which applies to the territory.
Cypriot Members of the European Parliament Eleni Theocharous and Ioannis Kasoulides called for the immediate release of the three men. “These arrests are in full breach of international law and the human right to private life. Charging them is illegal under human rights law, denies their most basic rights, and is wholly unnecessary as no harm was done. Consenting adults have the right to engage in sexual intercourse with people of the same sex, these men must be freed now!”
Michael Cashman MEP, Co-president of the Intergroup on LGBT Rights in the European Parliament, also added: “These men must be released without delay, and the binding jurisprudence from the European Court of Human Rights must be implemented immediately in the whole island of Cyprus. The criminalisation of homosexuality has no place in the 21st century.”
The Intergroup on LGBT Rights urges Turkish authorities in Cyprus to release the three men and clear them of all charges without delay.
Tags: cyprus, decriminalisation
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