Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Activists in over 130 countries commemorated the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia – IDAHOT on 17 May. This day is being commemorated since 2004, aiming to direct the attention of the public, media and decision makers to the violence and discrimination faced by LGBTI persons worldwide, with 17 May chosen because it is the day in 1990 when the World Health Organization ceased classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder. The largest EU institutions, such as the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Foreign Affairs Service, published announcements on the occasion.

High Representative Federica Mogherini spoke on behalf of the European Union, stating in her written declaration the dedication of the EU to eliminating discrimination of any kind. “On this International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the EU stands together with LGBTI people all around the world in the struggle to end discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. All human beings are equal in dignity and all are entitled to enjoy their rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The EU will continue advocating measures to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTI persons, and to actively promote their rights”, the statement by Mogherini is available in its entirety here.

Although the EU, as well as its individual member states are fighting against discrimination of LGBTI persons, recent surveys show that the situation is far from favourable. Last year, an extensive report was published by the Agency for Fundamental Rights on the status of LGBT persons in the EU, stating many of them live in fear of revealing their identity, suffer discrimination, and even violence. Data on the status of trans persons is particularly concerning, assessing they suffer the greatest discrimination and abuse. This month, two reports were published on the status of intersexual persons, showing this group is denied fundamental human rights.

Source: Network for the European Women’s Lobby