Council of Europe Backs LGBTI Equality, Says Sec Gen
Defending the rights of LGBTI persons is not a niche issue, but a test of whether Europe as a continent still believes in the universality of human rights, said Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, in a video message to the participants of the IDAHOT+ Forum in Valetta.
Hosted by the Government of Malta under its Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and co-organised by the Council of Europe’s SOGIESC[1] Unit, the Forum marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexphobia (IDAHOT), observed annually on 17 May.
“This year’s IDAHOT+ Forum takes place against a backdrop,” Berset said. “Across Europe and in the world, we are witnessing a worrying regression – a deliberate attempt to reverse hard-won rights and dismantle inclusive protections.”
“From so-called “anti-propaganda” laws to crackdowns on civil society, from attacks on Pride marches to the denial of legal gender recognition – these are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader, worrying trend: one that threatens our democratic foundations.”
“Disinformation, polarisation, and hate have found fertile ground online and offline. LGBTI persons are too often the first to be targeted and silenced. And in many cases, civil society is defunded or labelled a threat, when it is a vital force for democratic resilience and social cohesion.”
“The Council of Europe stands firmly with those who work for equality – from governments to grassroots, from legislators to human rights defenders”, the Secretary General concluded. “The Council of Europe’s values deserve to be defended.”
The theme of the IDAHOT+ Forum in Malta is “Advancing SOGIGESC Equality and Inclusion in a Transforming Europe”. The Forum focuses on both the progress made and the barriers still in place, while pushing for deeper collaboration and collective action. Participants are reflecting on the state of rights of LGBTI persons, legal and social landscape across the region, identifying areas where civil society can work with governments and international bodies to advance equality and inclusion, and sharing effective strategies for implementing national and regional action plans, ensuring the sustainability of equality measures, and addressing gaps in legal protections. The rise of anti-LGBTI movements across Europe, the narratives driving these movements, their impact on policy and public discourse, and strategies to counteract misinformation and backlash are also on the agenda.
Among the speakers in the opening session were Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta, and Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Marja Ruotanen, Director General of Democracy and Human Dignity of the Council of Europe, took part in the session on strategies, challenges and future directions in advancing equality for LGBTI persons in Europe.
[1] Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics
Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/the-council-of-europe-stands-with-those-working-for-lgbti-equality-says-secretary-general-at-idahot-forum-in-malta