EU stands by LGBTI defenders on international rights day

Inside and outside the European Union, LGBTI persons are too often targets of violence and hate crime. They are still the frequent subject of discrimination and maltreatment on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics.
In many countries, having a partner of the same sex remains a crime. People are arrested, imprisoned and in some cases executed, just because of the relationship they are in. Even in countries with legal protection of sexual orientation, stigmatisation due to homophobia, transphobia and biphobia remains high, leading to social exclusion with economic and health-related costs on societies.
This is an important year for rights, as we mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its first article reads, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” LGBTI persons are no exception, and the EU will therefore continue to fight for “equal rights for all” regardless of sexual orientation.
Through a combination of political and rights dialogues, awareness-raising activities, financial assistance and specific policy tools such as the European Commission’s List of actions to advance LGBTI equality and the EU “Guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by LGBTI persons”, the European Union will continue to address discrimination and violence on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and show its commitment to advance LGBTI equality in the EU and beyond.
The EU pays tribute today to all those working to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTI persons. Allow us to reiterate that, “Human rights defenders, you are not alone and the European Union will always be with you.”
Federica Mogherini
High Representative, European Union