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Combating rising hate against LGBTI people in Europe

Doc. 15425: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 15425 | 24/01/2022 | Final version

Contents

A Draft Resolution
B Draft Recommendation

Compendium index

Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 5 Amendment 6 Amendment 7 Amendment 8 Amendment 9 Amendment 10 Amendment 11 Amendment 12 Amendment 13 Amendment 14 Amendment 15 Amendment 16

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1Over the past few decades, significant progress has been achieved towards making equal rights a reality for LGBTI people throughout Europe. While the picture is chequered and varies widely from State to State, overall, hate crime and anti-discrimination laws have been strengthened, legal gender recognition procedures have been simplified, the bodily integrity of intersex people has started to be better protected, and the rights of rainbow families have increasingly been recognised. This substantial progress is welcome, albeit insufficient.
2Recent years, however, have also seen a marked increase in hate speech, violence, and hate crime against LGBTI people, communities, and organisations across many member States of the Council of Europe. The Parliamentary Assembly notes with deep concern that a significant proportion of hate speech, vilification and scapegoating of LGBTI people, as well as broad attacks on the exercise of their civil rights, have come from political figures and leaders, including government representatives, as well as from religious leaders.
3The Assembly deplores these phenomena, which can be observed throughout Europe, regardless of the extent of protection already afforded to the human rights of LGBTI people in any given country. It moreover condemns with particular force the extensive and often virulent attacks on the rights of LGBTI people that have been occurring for several years in, amongst other countries, Hungary, Poland, the Russian Federation, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

Votes: 23 in favor 61 against 8 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 3, second sentence, delete the following words:

"and the United Kingdom."

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 3, insert the following paragraph:

"The Assembly notes the ongoing debate in the United Kingdom and elsewhere over sex and gender, and expresses concern at the impact on vulnerable individuals."

4The rising hatred we are witnessing today is not simply an expression of individual prejudice, but the result of sustained and often well-organised attacks on the human rights of LGBTI people throughout the European continent. Individual expressions of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and intersexphobia occur in a broader context in which highly conservative movements seek to stifle the identities and realities of all those who challenge the cis- and heteronormative social constructs which perpetuate gender inequalities and gender-based violence in our societies, and which affect women as well as LGBTI people.
5The Assembly condemns the highly prejudicial anti-gender, gender-critical and anti-trans narratives which reduce the fight for the equality of LGBTI people to what these movements deliberately mis-characterise as “gender ideology” or “LGBTI ideology”. Such narratives deny the very existence of LGBTI people, dehumanise them, and often falsely portray their rights as being in conflict with women’s and children’s rights, or societal and family values in general. All of these are deeply damaging to LGBTI people, while also harming women’s and children’s rights and social cohesion.

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, delete paragraph 5.

6The Assembly deplores the fact that such discourse is leading to stagnation and even backsliding in progress towards LGBTI equality, sexual and reproductive rights and women’s and children’s rights – and in so doing, it poses a direct challenge to democracy and the rule of law. In many countries, legislative processes aimed at improving the protection of the rights of LGBTI people have stalled, and in some, progress previously achieved has been undone.
7The significant advances achieved in recent years are today under threat. It is crucial to react quickly in order to prevent further backsliding and work actively to promote full respect for the rights of LGBTI people.
8In view of all the above, and referring in particular to the relevant provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5) and case law of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the Assembly’s Resolution 2239 (2018) “Private and family life: achieving equality regardless of sexual orientation”, Resolution 2191 (2017) and Recommendation 2116 (2017) “Promoting the human rights of and eliminating discrimination against intersex people”, Resolution 2048 (2015) “Discrimination against transgender people in Europe”, Resolution 1948 (2013) and Recommendation 2021 (2013) “Tackling discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity”, and Resolution 1728 (2010) and Recommendation 1915 (2010) “Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity”, the Assembly urges governments and parliaments in Council of Europe member States to tackle hatred and discrimination against LGBTI people with renewed energy and urgency.
9It welcomes in this context the ongoing work of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) towards drawing up a general policy recommendation to combat discrimination and intolerance against LGBTI persons, as part of its 2019 Roadmap to Effective Equality, and the adoption by the European Commission in 2020 of its LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025. It also welcomes the request made on 15 September 2021 to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for its opinion on recent modifications to Hungarian legislation that may have a particular impact on LGBTI people.

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

Votes: 73 in favor 9 against 8 abstentions

In the draft resolution, delete the second sentence of paragraph 9.

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 9, insert the following paragraph:

"The Assembly also welcomes Opinion No. 1059/2021 of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) on recent modifications to Hungarian legislation that may have a particular impact on LGBTI people, adopted and published on 13 December 2021 following the request made by the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination."

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 9, insert the following paragraph:

"It draws attention in particular to the previous opinion of the Venice Commission of July 2021 on Hungarian constitutional amendments, where the commission already warned against the danger of "further strengthen[ing] an attitude according to which non-heterosexual lifestyles are seen as inferior and fuel a hostile and stigmatising atmosphere against LGBTQI people", and to the statement in the new opinion according to which "the amendments stigmatise LGBTI persons and discriminate against them on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression"."

10The Assembly calls on member States to refrain from enacting legislation or adopting constitutional amendments that are contrary to the rights of LGBTI people, and to repeal any such provisions already in force. It urges in particular:
10.1the Hungarian authorities to repeal with immediate effect all the measures adopted in May 2020, December 2020 and June 2021 that prevent individuals who need it from obtaining the legal recognition of their gender identity, preclude children from obtaining recognition of their gender identity when it is different from the sex assigned to them at birth, bar adoption by anyone other than married, heterosexual couples, block access to comprehensive sexuality education, and ban the portrayal of trans identities and homosexuality;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 10.1, insert the following sentence:

"As stated in Opinion No. 1059/2021 of the Venice Commission, these amendments contribute to creating a threatening environment where LGBTQI children can be subject to health-related risks, bullying and harassment."

10.2the Polish authorities to support stronger anti-hate and anti-discrimination legislation in Poland, to ensure that it is effectively applied, and to work to overturn all declarations and charters contrary to the rights of LGBTI people adopted at local, county and regional level;
10.3all member States having in place so called “anti-LGBTI-propaganda” laws, that is, any legislation that prevents persons and especially minors from having access to complete and objective information about the different forms of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics that exist in society, to repeal this legislation with immediate effect;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, paragraph 10.3, after the words "forms of" insert the following word:

"sex,"

10.4all member States concerned by a process of execution of a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in which one or more violations was found concerning the rights of LGBTI people or organisations, to ensure the rapid and full implementation of the judgment.
11The Assembly calls on member States to speak out strongly against incidents of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and intersexphobia in discourse, practice and policy wherever they occur, and to use the numerous Assembly and other Council of Europe and international standards and instruments at their disposal to hold others to account.
12The Assembly emphasises that it is precisely when hostility is high or rising that effective criminal provisions and anti-discrimination legislation are most crucial. It calls on member States to strengthen their legislative framework wherever necessary to ensure that it protects the rights of LGBTI people to be free from hatred and discrimination, and to apply it effectively in practice. In line with the above-mentioned standards, and without prejudice to the more specific or far-reaching obligations they may already entail, it calls on member States in particular to:
12.1amend criminal legislation as necessary to ensure that its provisions with respect to hate crimes clearly cover all offences committed against a person or group of persons based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, include proportionate and dissuasive sanctions, protect victims’ rights and make provision for them to receive compensation;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

Votes: 77 in favor 9 against 6 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12.1, after the words "based on their" insert the following word:

"sex,"

12.2make motivations based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics an aggravating circumstance for all ordinary offences;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12.2, after the words "based on" insert the following word:

"sex,"

12.3ensure victims of crime are supported and protected against re-traumatisation on the grounds of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics by law enforcement and support structures, including shelters;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12.3, after the words "grounds of their" insert the following word:

"sex,"

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, at the end of paragraph 12.3, add the following words:

"(segregated where necessary according to sex)".

12.4amend anti-discrimination legislation as necessary to ensure that it covers all forms of discrimination, in all areas of life, based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, paragraph 12.4, after the words "based on" insert the following word:

"sex,"

12.5fully train police, judges and prosecutors on these provisions, in order to ensure their effective application in practice and avoid impunity;
12.6initiate, if this has not already been done, and bring to fruition in all cases, the legislative and policy-making processes necessary to complete other elements of the legal framework that are crucial to LGBTI equality, notably as regards legal gender recognition, the bodily integrity of intersex people, the protection of rainbow families, access to trans-specific healthcare and the exercise of civil rights such as the freedoms of expression, association and assembly.
13Having regard to the egregious human rights violations committed against LGBTI people in the Chechen Republic (Russian Federation), which the Assembly condemned in its Resolution 2230 (2018) and Recommendation 2138 (2018) “Persecution of LGBTI people in the Chechen Republic (Russian Federation)” but which continue to occur and to have a devastating impact today, the Assembly urges:
13.1the authorities of the Russian Federation to implement fully and immediately Assembly Resolution 2230 (2018), and redouble its efforts to prosecute and punish the perpetrators and provide reparation, including compensation, to victims, in order to put an end to the persecution of LGBTI people in the Chechen Republic and ensure that there is no impunity for the perpetrators of such human rights violations;
13.2all other Council of Europe member States to renew their pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure that justice is done, intensify their own efforts to provide refuge to those still seeking to flee to safety, and ensure that their asylum legislation provides effective protection to all LGBTI people forced to flee their country due to persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.
14The Assembly further calls on all member States to:
14.1put in place a clear human rights policy to protect and promote LGBTI equality, including a strategy and action plan with clear and measurable targets and timelines for implementing any changes to legislation, policy or practice necessary to achieve equality, and effective accountability mechanisms;
14.2mainstream the rights of LGBTI people in all key legislative, policy and other measures;
14.3work proactively to bring their domestic legislation and practice into line with the developing case-law of the European Court of Human Rights;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

Votes: 68 in favor 6 against 13 abstentions

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 14.3, insert the following paragraph:

"ensure that children are provided with objective, non-stigmatising information on sexual orientation and gender identity;"

14.4refuse to provide funding to local, regional or national authorities or other State or non-State actors that deny the human rights of LGBTI people, and to withdraw such funding if it has already been granted;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Tonia ANTONIAZZI, Ms Kate OSAMOR, Ms Ruth JONES, Lord George FOULKES, Baroness Doreen E. MASSEY

In the draft resolution, replace paragraph 14.4 with the following paragraph:

“challenge local, regional or national authorities or other State or non-State actors that deny the human rights of LGBTI people”

14.5participate constructively in the periodical review process carried out by the Committee of Ministers regarding the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 to member States on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity;
14.6contribute to and advance other Council of Europe work concerning the rights of LGBTI people, notably through actively supporting:
14.6.1the relevant monitoring and standard-setting work of the ECRI;
14.6.2the intergovernmental work carried out in this field by the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI);
14.6.3the provision to States that request it of technical assistance aimed at advancing LGBTI equality and rights;
14.7ensure the meaningful involvement of and consultation with civil society organisations and human rights defenders seeking to protect and promote the rights of LGBTI people in the development, implementation and review of all policies and measures that concern them, and more generally, enable and support the work of civil society in this field.
15The Assembly strongly encourages parliamentarians to improve their understanding of the human rights challenges faced by LGBTI people in their country and abroad, by engaging bilaterally with and inviting to their parliaments local, national and umbrella civil society organisations and LGBTI human rights defenders with direct knowledge of the realities and issues at stake.
16Finally, the Assembly emphasises that hatred against LGBTI people cannot be effectively combated if it is treated purely as an individual phenomenon. Paradigm shifts in social and cultural understandings of gender equality, harmful masculinities and the rights and freedoms of LGBTI people are still needed in many societies in order to achieve genuine equality for LGBTI people. The Assembly therefore urges member States to carry out extensive public awareness-raising campaigns so as to counter misleading or false narratives, increase understanding of the situation and rights of LGBTI people, and actively promote their equality.
17In the light of all the above, the Assembly considers that a network of its interested members should also be formally established, in order to facilitate co-operation between national parliaments aimed at promoting full and effective equality for LGBTI people throughout the continent.

BDraft Recommendation

1The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution … (2021) “Combating rising hate against LGBTI people in Europe”, in which it calls on member States to tackle hatred and discrimination against LGBTI people with renewed energy and urgency.
2The Assembly believes it is crucial that member States redouble their efforts in this field and that the Council of Europe strengthen its own activities to protect and promote the rights of LGBTI persons in Europe.
3The Assembly therefore invites the Committee of Ministers to:
3.1bring Resolution … (2021) to the attention of the governments of all member States;

24 January 2022

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Ms Béatrice FRESKO-ROLFO, Ms Laura CASTEL, Ms Petra STIENEN, Ms Zita GURMAI, Ms Margreet De BOER, Mr Christophe LACROIX

In the draft recommendation, paragraph 3.1, after the words "member States" add the following words:

"as well as Opinion No. 1059/2021 of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), and consider follow-up measures to these texts;"

3.2ensure that adequate resources are allocated to work on equality of rights for LGBTI persons, combating hate speech and hate crime, and intergovernmental standard-setting in these fields;
3.3support the periodical review process regarding the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.