Summary: LGBTI Rights in the World
On 30 June 2011, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights held a hearing on LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) rights in the world. Members of the European Parliament, European Parliament staff, European Commission staff, ambassadors and members of the public heard from human rights defenders, civil society and high-level EU civil servants about the human rights of LGBTI people worldwide.
Pictures
Event summary
Presentation of the hearing
Andrzej Grzyb MEP, acting Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights opened the event.
Introduction
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, presented the hearing and explained why it was necessary to look at the rights of LGBTI people globally, citing work done recently by the European Parliament
Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi
Naome Ruzindana from Rwanda presented recent developments for LGBTI people in eastern Africa, and notably Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi (including how these countries influenced each other).
Video: The decriminalisation of homosexuality in India
A movie produced by the International AIDS Alliance showcased interviews with Indian activists commenting on the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2009.
Trans and intersex rights in the world
Argentinean activist Mauro Cabral explained the issues brought forward by a growing global movement for the rights of trans(gender) and intersex people, including trans murders and sterilisation.
The role of the EU
Riina Kionka is Head of Division for Human Rights Policy Guidelines in the EU’s External Action Service, and outlined positive action by the EU in several domains: in the EU legal and policy framework, the EU’s bilateral relationships, at the United Nations, and at regional and local level.
The European Commission
Responsible for Governance, Democracy, Gender and Human Rights at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation, Jean-Louis Ville outlined action and calls for funding at the European Commission that were likely to help LGBTI civil society in the Global South.
Questions and answers
Conclusion
Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs, Co-Presidents of the LGBT Intergroup, rounded up the discussions.
Read more:
- Listen to the Intergroup Podcast with Naome Ruzindana and Mauro Cabral
- Council of Europe report (referred to during the debate)
- Map: LGBTI Rights in the world (ILGA)
Speakers’ organisations:
- Horizon Community Association of Rwanda (HOCA)
- Global Action for Trans* Equality (GATE)
- The European External Action Service
- European Commission Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation
- Call for proposals for the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (referred to by Jean-Louis Ville in his speech)
