Human rights in the world: EU Parliament’s annual report points to serious abuse for LGBTI people

Yesterday, the European Parliament voted its annual report on human rights in the world. The report reviews the situation of human rights (including the human rights of LGBTI persons) worldwide, and makes annual recommendations for EU action.

Initially drafted by Eduard Kukan, a Slovak MEP from the EPP group, this year’s annual report was mostly silent on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The S&D and Greens/EFA groups tabled amendments, which were all adopted in plenary today.

With this report, the European Parliament notably:
Underlines that the EU Special Representative for Human Rights must focus on the rights of women and of all minorities;

Expresses its deepest concern at the activities of far-right groups contacting LGBTI persons online to entrap and assault them, and asks “EU delegation and Member State embassies in Russia to increase their support for defenders of the human rights of LGBTI persons;

Expresses “concern at increasing state violence against LGBTI persons in several sub-Saharan countries, especially Uganda, Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal“, condemns the adoption of ever more repressive laws, “points out that 76 countriesstill criminalise homosexuality, including five which provide for the death penalty”, and regrets again that the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific excludes sexual orientation from its political dialogue;

Notes the “regrettable trend to enact laws restricting freedom of expression and assembly ["anti-propaganda laws"] for those who support the human rights of LGBTI persons” in Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine. Similar laws have been proposed inGeorgia, Armenia and Kazakhstan. The Parliament congratulates Moldova forrepealing its “anti-propaganda law”.

The report also welcomes the adoption by the Council of the EU guidelines on the promotion and protection of all Human Rights by LGBTI persons last June.

Finally, the Parliament also regrets the adoption of a resolution on ‘traditional values’ at the United Nations, undermining human rights, and calls on supportive states to follow up on the 2011 Human Rights Council resolution on ‘Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity’.

Barbara Lochbihler MEP, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Member of the LGBT Intergroup, reacted: “This resolution is a comprehensive overview of what the EU has done, and needs to keep doing abroad to safeguard human rights. It is a clear message by MEPs from across the political spectrum to continue and step up efforts to effectively protect all LGBTI persons’ rights.”

Maria Eleni Koppa MEP, Member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Member of the LGBT Intergroup, also said: “The European Union has a vital role to play in the promotion of human rights of LGBT people in the world.”

“The guidelines adopted by the European Council have been used effectively in a number of countries, but we need to stand firmer in defence of human rights in other countries, like Russia.”

Read more:
Download LGBTI excerpts from the European Parliament Annual Report on Human Rights in the World and the European Union’s policy on the matter (PDF)
Read the report online (available from 13 December 2013)

also see on sister blog GLBTQJA on Wordpress: 

Buy no rings, you won’t wed; religious fear-mongering on gay marriage & the buggery law continues

JFLAG at its 15 Anniversary of the Struggle on Human Rights Day..................

Jamaica has a long and complex history of LGBT human rights advocacy from the 1970s with the Gay Freedom Movement.

Back then, there were more pockets of tolerance and gay social spaces in Jamaica; visible gay clubs such as NS, Marshalls, The Closet, and Entourage all based in Kingston. More recently we’ve had The Loft, and Oasis as well as Heaven which is still in operation.

Regrettably, beginning in the late 1980s, things began to change. People were being targeted, beaten and killed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consequently, the LGBT community became imprisoned by fear, discrimination and violence.

Fifteen years ago, some concerned Jamaicans came together to establish what we now know as J-FLAG. On Human Rights Day - December 10, 1998 - J-FLAG was launched to ‘engage in initiatives that would foster the acceptance and enrichment of the lives of same-gender loving persons who have been, and continue to be an integral part of society’. Jamaica is better because of their vision.

When J-FLAG was launched, the idea of protection from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity seemed foreign, but it was important to confront laws and policies that were, and continue to be detrimental to the dignity of LGBT Jamaicans.

Today, we celebrate fifteen wonderful years of advocacy for LGBT people. I thank everyone, including LGBT community members, our partners, donors, allies and policymakers who have helped in promoting the rights of LGBT Jamaicans. I pay tribute to the founders who so desperately wanted to ensure Jamaicans like me could claim our full citizenship and not be mistreated because of who we love.

It is an honour for me to be part of such a proud history, and I am hopeful that better days are ahead. Already, there is an unprecedented lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ‘buggery law’ and many LGBT people are boldly confronting homophobia. This year, we witnessed the establishment of three new LGBT organisations, namely Quality of Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ) - a lesbian and bisexual women’s organisation, the Jamaica Association of Gays and Lesbians Abroad (JAGLA), and Dwayne's House - working to create a shelter for homeless LGBT youth.

However, despite these strides by the community, there are still many challenges. Some LGBT people still do not have a place to sleep at nights. Children are still being thrown out of their homes because they are gay or lesbian, while some of them hide from school to avoid being bullied, and others contemplate suicide to end the harassment they face. Transgender Jamaicans are still being treated as outcasts. People are still being beaten for being LGBT and many of us still live in great fear for our lives and that of our loved ones. The murder of 16 year old Dwayne Jones in St James in July 2013, who wanted to become a teacher or entertainment coordinator, is evidence of how difficult it is for many of us.

It is for these reasons that we must all work together to create a peaceful and inclusive society for all Jamaicans. We must provide more opportunities to learn about human rights and foster greater respect among all of us, regardless of our differences.

No Jamaican should feel inferior, powerless or invisible because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is only with respect and embracing our common humanity that Jamaica can be a safe, cohesive and just society. Together, we can put aside the grievances that lead to prejudice, inequality, crime, violence and intolerance, to build Jamaica land we love.

Dane Lewis, Executive Director

(876) 875 2328 /(876) 754 2130

ENDS

Also see a list of top 10 accomplishments: HERE and below is my podcast on the matter, congrats indeed but there is much to do despite the strong differences of opinions as to the way forward. Hopefully the goals will be achieved on a sound ethical foundation of advocacy and not leaving us viewed as oppressors or lying our way to achieving our full rights and recognition.

Peace and tolerance

H