Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) – an occasion to celebrate LGBTI+ people around the world and recognise their struggles for equality.

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP, said:

“During my 20 years as an MEP, it has been a privilege to see the European Parliament take steps towards protecting LGBTI+ rights  – from implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, to combatting discrimination in the workplace.

I pledge to keep the spirit of IDAHOBIT alive 365 days a year – standing in solidarity with the LGBTI+ community worldwide, and calling out discrimination against these groups wherever it is found.”

Notes:

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-london-44729064/lgbt-hate-crime-on-the-rise-in-london

[2] https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/14/anti-lgbt-attacks-france-2018/

[3] https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/05/13/lgbt-rights-in-europe-regressing-campaigners-warn/

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Today cross-party MEPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling on Brunei’s state authorities to scrap new laws which punish same-sex relationships, adultery and abortion with stoning. The penal code also includes harsh punishments for pregnancy out of wedlock, failing to pray on Fridays, and even dressing in clothes associated with a different sex.

The resolution, proposed by the Greens/EFA Group and co-signed by Jean Lambert MEP, calls for action including [1]:

• EU restricted measures such as visa bands or asset freezes against the people responsible for these human rights violations
• More support from EU institutions to civil society organisations and human rights defenders working on LGBTI+ rights
• The EU to consider blacklisting the hotels owned by the Brunei Investment Agency
• The EU to respect the international legal framework regarding asylum procedures for victims of Brunei’s current Penal Code

Jean Lambert, London’s Green Party MEP, says:

“The decision of the Brunei authorities to introduce hardline Sharia Penal Code is wholly unacceptable, and an affront to universal values concerning human rights.

These new laws – which punish same-sex relationships, adultery, pregnancy out of wedlock, failing to pray on Fridays, and even dressing in clothes associated with a different sex – clearly contravene international human rights law and lock the people of Brunei in the past. It’s particularly appalling that punishments also extend to children.

Today cross-party MEPs voted in favour of a resolution, initiated by the Greens/EFA Group, which sends a strong message to Brunei: the European Parliament strongly condemns the actions of Brunei’s state authorities, and will not tolerate homophobia or bigotry.

Should the Sultan and his allies fail to scrap these laws, we urge the EU and its Member States to consider using every tool available to end this cruel treatment, including asset freezes and visa bans. We also hope to see the situation in Brunei as an item on the agenda of the next ASEAN EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights.

Everyone has the right to live and love in peace, according to international human rights standards. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTI+ community, women, children and other vulnerable groups in Brunei, as well as the brave human rights defenders who are putting their lives on the line to stand up for their fellow citizens.”

Notes:

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-8-2019-0242_EN.html

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Today more than 26,000 people joined the annual Pride parade through central London. [1]

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT rights, said:

​”​The Pride parade has become an integral part of London’s cultural and political landscape. Every year, it’s inspiring to see ​thousands of people turn out to celebrate our diversity and make a stand against prejudice.

This year’s Pride event marks an important milestone. It’s hard to believe that, until 50 years ago, homosexuality was considered a crime in England and Wales. Since then, ​we’ve made immense progress. However, the sad truth is that there’s still ​plenty of work to be done to push for equality.

In coming years, I’ll be working hard to give the LGBT+ community a voice in the European Parliament – seeking to protect the rights of ​every LGBT+ individual, not only in London but across the globe.​”​

Notes:

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40531136

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Today MEPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking firm action to halt the ongoing atrocities against gay men in Chechnya. [1]

The resolution follows last month’s reports that authorities in the republic had rounded up over 100 men suspected of being gay, and tortured them. At least three are thought to have been killed [2].

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP and member of the Parliament’ Intergroup on LGBTI rights, says:

“It’s crucial that the European Union stands up to LGBTI discrimination, wherever it is found. That’s why I have voted, alongside many other cross-party MEPs, in favour of taking strong action against the persecution of men perceived to be gay in Chechnya.

In recent months I have been horrified by news reports of the abduction, torture and murder of gay men in the southern Russian republic. The incitement to families to harm their own gay sons and brothers is heartless and another clear sign of state persecution. There is simply no place for such abhorrent human rights violations in the modern world.

Today’s decision sends a strong message to the Chechen authorities – the European Parliament demands an immediate end to their campaign of persecution, and the release of every individual who is still detained. The Russian government must investigate these acts and bring the perpetrators to justice through a fair, independent process.

The European Commission has an important role to play in supporting the investigation, providing a safe new home for the victims, and ensuring that all EU member states are effectively implementing the Council’s LGBTI Guidelines.

Just one day after the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, let’s embrace our differences and say no to discrimination. We call on the international community to condemn Chechnya’s actions, and push for concrete measures to put an end to these atrocities and ensure that they can never happen again.”

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170511IPR74352/persecution-of-gay-men-in-chechnya-meps-call-for-urgent-investigation

[2] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/chechnya-gay-men-detain-arrest-round-up-chechen-human-rights-watch-ramzan-kadyrov-a7664486.html

ENDS
Please click here to sign Amnesty International UK’s petition, Chechnya: Stop abducting and killing gay men.

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The European Court of Justice have today issued a judgement  that refugees who claim asylum on the grounds that they are gay should not have to undergo ‘tests’ to prove their orientation. In this latest ruling, the court found that determining a refugee’s sexual orientation had to be consistent with EU law.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and Rapporteur on the revision of the Qualifications Directive – one of the Directives being examined in the older version of the judgement said in response:

‘Today’s judgment is welcome, if overdue. It indicates to Member States that the methods they use to assess applications for asylum based on sexual orientation must be in line with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Charter, such as the right to respect for human dignity and the right to respect for private and family life. Crucially, these assessments must be made on an individual basis so these are much-needed improvements.’

This judgement is within the context of a report from October this year, by the UK independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, which found that ten percent of interviews involved questions of an “unsatisfactory nature”. The case is significant across the EU because of increased numbers of sub-Saharan African people seeking asylum in Europe. Most African countries, along with some other countries, regard homosexuality as a crime, punishable with imprisonment or even by death.

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But she said full equality would only come when all couples – regardless of their gender, sexuality or faith – could choose between marriage and a civil partnership.

Ms Lambert said: “Same sex marriage is a vital step towards equality – and I am delighted it has finally become an option for the many gay couples in committed relationships in London.

“But the struggle for full equality goes on – and Greens in the European Parliament will be at the heart of it.

“Earlier this year MEPs adopted a Green proposal calling for concerted EU action to stamp out homophobia across the union.”

The full report, drafted by Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, is available here .

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Jean Lambert, the capital’s Green Party MEP, has added her name to a petition calling on Mr Museveni to ‘Kill the Bill’ by refusing to sign it into law.

Previously Mr Museveni has suggested that he would refuse to sign into law the ‘odious’ Anti-Homsexuality Bill, which would see life imprisonment imposed on people convicted of the ‘crime’ of ‘committing homosexual acts’ – arguing that legislation isn’t the best way to deal with what he described as ‘abnormal people’.

Ms Lambert called on him to stand firm – for the sake of human rights, equality – and, crucially, preserving Uganda and Mr Museveni’s international reputation and trade with the EU.

Earlier this year, Ms Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament’s cross-party group on LGBTI rights, said ever more repressive laws against LGBTI people could breach human rights commitments made by the countries concerned to the EU.

“The ‘Cotonou Agreement’ between the EU and a number of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations requires all signatories to respect the human rights to life, privacy, freedom from discrimination, freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well the rights of free expression and free assembly, of all its citizens,” she said.

“But this legal move to criminalise homosexuality in Uganda could undermine that commitment.

“By seeking to criminalise people’s sexual orientation, the Bill goes against fundamental principles of human rights and democracy.”

She added: “This frightening attempt to persecute a minority serves as a stark reminder that while the UK and many other countries have made significant progress in creating equality before the law, thanks to the determined action of campaigners to call for governments to respect equality of treatment, thousands of citizens all over the world still suffer homophobic attacks, abuse, mistreatment and discrimination.

“We all have a role to play in creating a society which promotes equality and the dignity of the individual.

“I urge President Museveni to uphold those principles for his country and not sign this law.”

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With intolerance on the rise across the EU, Greens called for an EU-wide action plan based on all Member States adopting a coherent approach – with the European Commission empowered to take concrete follow-up measures against countries that do not comply.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament’s cross-party Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said:

“MEPs have today made clear that homophobia should no longer be tolerated in Europe. Despite EU legislation to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace, there is still massive discrimination, bullying and violence – in schools, workplaces and in everyday life situations. To address this, MEPs have today supported the call for an EU roadmap against homophobia and discrimination based on sexual identity.

“The European Commission must finally outline a coherent approach at EU level, with concrete action against this undermining of European values​​. The strong support from almost all political groups for this report shows that homophobic tendencies in Europe are losing ground and a large majority in Europe no longer wants to accept this intolerance. Homophobic laws are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in Europe.

“With LGBT rights in the spotlight as Russia hosts the Winter Olympics from this Friday, and London sees a major demonstration tomorrow (Wednesday), the issue is timely – and now is the time to act.”

The full report, drafted by Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, is available here .

Details of the London demonstration can be found here.

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They are calling for the presidents of Uganda and Nigeria and the Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo and India to refuse to pass laws criminalising LGBTI people.

They also backed the Indian Government’s attempts to overturn a recent Supreme Court ruling outlawing homosexuality on the grounds that it violates the Indian constitutional principle of equality.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert, who is a member of the European Parliament’s cross-party group on LGBTI rights, said ever more repressive laws against LGBTI people could breach human rights commitments made by the countries concerned to the EU.

“The ‘Cotonou Agreement’ between the EU and a number of African, Caribbean and Pacific nations requires all signatories to respect the human rights to life, privacy, freedom from discrimination, freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well the rights of free expression and free assembly, of all its citizens,” she said.

“But recent legal moves to criminalise homosexuality in these nations could undermine that commitment.

“I hope MEPs of all parties will back the Green calls to express concern at these developments, and ask for the personal intervention of the rulers of the states concerned.

“Further, any future revisions of the Cotonou Agreement should expressly require all signatories to respect the rights of LGBTI people.

“Respecting human rights means respecting diversity – and rejecting discrimination against all minorities, including LGBTI people: and the EU just shouldn’t do business with countries that flout these commitments.”

MEPs will vote on the proposed motion on Thursday.

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Making her comments as world leaders met for this week’s G20 Summit in St Petersburg, London’s Green MEP said she welcomed Russia’s respect for international law over Syria but feared it represented a double standard.

Ms Lambert said: “Myself and a number of MEPs are increasingly concerned at the state-sanctioned closure of NGOs and violence against minorities being caused directly by laws restricting human rights in Russia.

“While I welcome Vladimir Putin’s claim to respect international law when it comes to an attack on Syria he must have the same respect for the rule of law – and human rights – at home.”

Ms Lambert called on the EU to raise the issue formally, and on the Council of Europe to take action against an apparent breach of Russia’s commitment to grant all its citizens the protection of the rule of law.

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