In the context of the International Anti-Homophobia Day, marked on 17 May, numerous statements have been issued by the EU pointing to the on-going discrimination of homosexuals, specifically in African and Caribbean countries. However, according to a new report, many European countries also continue to fall short on upholding gay rights.

In a statement released on the day, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton emphasised that globally there are currently 80 countries that criminalise homosexual acts and 7 in which gay people face the death penalty. In the same statement, she called “on all States to end acts of violence, criminal sanctions and human rights violations against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Former EU development commissioner Louis Michel stated during the EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Budapest that the EU would “never accept that governments or politicians may use, or even exploit, any ‘cultural' argument in an attempt to justify the hunt and demonization of homosexuality.” Current EU development commissioner Andris Piebalgs pointed to the EU’s obligations under the EU Treaty and Charter of Fundamental Rights to combating anti-gay hatred.

Elsewhere, Uganda’s parliament postponed a vote on a bill that would put homosexual relationships subject to the death penalty. This was following announcements by several countries, including the US, threatening to withdraw aid should the bill be passed. Last week also saw the submission of a letter by Human Rights Watch to the government of Cameroon pointing to the unconstitutional arrest of a homosexual for arranging a date with his lover.

However, a new report released by ILGA Europe last week signals the significant shortcomings in some European countries’ legislation and practices to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender persons (LGBT). The report revealed that whilst the UK, Sweden and Spain are ranked highest in the index, and Germany and Portugal progressed in the last year, Cyprus, Italy, Latvia and Malta stagnated, and Hungary and Lithuania exhibited a risk of regress. Moreover, Cyprus is the worst performing EU member state in the ILGA Europe index, having scored the same as Azerbaijan and Armenia.

“Europe considers itself a global leader on human rights and equality, but the Map and the Index clearly show how far we are from being able to claim the title of LGBT human rights and equality champions”, said Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of ILGA Europe’s Executive Board.

See the map and index here: ILGA Europe

Sources:

• EUobserver
• DevWire.eu
• guardian.co.uk