Plenary summary: Progress report Turkey; UN Human Rights Council

The Strasbourg week is over, so it is time for a plenary update. Apart from passing the data protection package, which includes important privacy measures for LGBT people, and a resolution calling for measures against Nigeria and Uganda, Parliament adopted the progress report on Turkey and voted the EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council.

Progress report Turkey

On Wednesday the European Parliament adopted its annual progress report on Turkey.

Although more limited in wording on LGBT rights than reports in previous years, MEPs stress the urgent need for comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation” as well as an anti-discrimination and equality board.

Furthermore, the resolution calls on the government to ensure that bias-motivated violence against LGBTI people is covered by hate crime legislation.

An amendment toning down the resolution’s wording on the disappointing Democracy Package, which failed to include measures to improve the legal situation of LGBT people, did not find a majority.

EU priorities at UN Human Rights Council

Thursday Parliament adopted a resolution recommending to place LGBT issues in the EU’s priorities at negotiations in the United Nation’s Human Rights Council (HRC).

The HRC is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

The resolution strongly condemns the Foreign Agents law and expresses concern over the anti-propaganda laws. Parliament further emphasises that the human rights situation of countries hosting major events, like the Olympic Games or the World Cup, should be scrutinised.

Furthermore, the Parliament “encourages close monitoring of the situation in Nigeria and Uganda,” where tough anti-LGBT laws were adopted recently.

Image credit: © European Union