Plenary Summary: Pope receives rainbow scarf; Parliament condemns violence against LGBT Iraqis
The Strasbourg week is over, so it is time for a plenary update. Apart from voting for LGBTI rights and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in the post 2015 United Nations development strategy, the Parliament adopted a resolution condemning violence against LGBT people in Iraq and received Pope Francis.
Pope receives a rainbow scarf
On Tuesday the Pope visited the European Parliament. Co-President of the Intergroup-designate on LGBTI Rights Ulrike Lunacek gave him a rainbow scarf, symbol for respect for the rights of LGBTI people and for peace.
In his address to the European Parliament, Pope Francis did not speak about the rights of LGBTI people, but emphasised the importance of human rights.
Parliament condemns violence against LGBT people in Iraq
On Thursday the Parliament adopted a resolution in which it condemns the violence against LGBT people in Iraq. The resolution highlights that “acts of violence and murder against LGBT Iraqis have been taking place with total impunity.” (par. 12)
Furthermore, the resolution emphasises that LGBT refugees are extremely vulnerable due to large social stigma, and calls on the Iraqi government to provide protection for LGBT Iraqis.
Although same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in 2003, LGBTI people lack protection under Iraq’s legal framework, and face a high risk of violence in the current crisis.
Read more:
- Read the full report on the EU and the global development framework after 2015 (par. 28, 58)
- Read the full text of the speech by Pope Francis (not yet available)
- Read the full resolution on Iraq: kidnapping and mistreatment of women (par. 12)
Image credit: © Gruene Austria
