In recent years, many European States and regions have taken action to regulate or criminalise the practice of so-called “conversion therapies”, namely the practice of “curing” or “correcting” LGBTI minors and adults through rituals, cleansing, psychological pressure, so-called treatment, etc. These methods are marketed in a fraudulent way and are not based on any scientific evidence. They can harm the victims psychologically and physically and even cause death. As such, they can be considered as a form of torture and an infringement of human rights and freedoms.
Malta was the first European country to fully ban these practices in 2016, followed by France in 2021. Germany (2020) and Greece (2022) banned conversion therapies for minors. In Spain, eight regions have prohibited it and in 2020, Albania adopted non-legislative medical guidelines. Denmark, Finland and Ireland are taking steps towards a ban, either through government or through civil society initiatives.
On 11 March 2021, the European Union declared itself as an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone” and encouraged member States to “criminalise so-called conversion therapy practices”. In May 2020, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity also called on States to “adopt bans on practices of ‘conversion therapy’.” In February 2023, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights published a Human Rights Comment on conversion practices entitled “Nothing to cure: putting an end to so-called ‘conversion therapies’ for LGBTI people”. It is time for the Parliamentary Assembly to address this issue and to call for a total ban of these practices at European level.