EU and ILGA-Europe reports published

Two significant reports relating to sexual orientation and human rights have been published this week. 

 

• Today the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights published the first results from its EU LGBT Survey. The FRA states:

The survey results provide valuable evidence of how LGBT persons in the EU and Croatia experience bias-motivated discrimination, violence and harassment in different areas of life, including employment, education, healthcare, housing and other services. The findings show that many hide their identity or avoid locations because of fear. Others experience discrimination and even violence for being LGBT. Most, however, do not report such incidents to the police or any other relevant authority. By highlighting and analysing the survey results, this report, together with the upcoming EU LGBT survey – Main results report, will assist the EU institutions and Member States in identifying the fundamental rights challenges facing LGBT people living in the EU and Croatia. It can thereby support the development of effective and targeted European and national legal and policy responses to address the needs of LGBT persons and ensure the protection of their fundamental rights

A video is available explaining the survey and findings.

• Yesterday ILGA-Europe launched its Rainbow Europe package reviewing the situation of LGBTI people in Europe and measuring the progress of European institutions and national governments towards full respect of LGBTI human rights. The package contains ILGA's latest annual round-up of legal issues and significant issues: Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe 2013.
  
  ILGA's Rainbow Europe package has been given support by Nils Muižnieks, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, who stated:
  
  Advocacy based on solid facts is what we need for advancing the human rights of LGBTI people. ILGA-Europe and its national member organisations have first-hand knowledge of what is going on and share their insights and concerns through the Annual Review and the Rainbow Map. In addition to holding countries accountable for their actions, the Annual Review also gives a critical account of the steps taken by international organisations. It is a valuable tool for a serious debate about the human rights situation of LGBTI persons across Europe.

Both reports present important insights into the lives of sexual minorities in Europe and, as I stated in a previous post, will be invaluable for use by both applicants and judges in the European Court of Human Rights.