Shame on homophobic states: Green MEP backs report on LGBT rights

- Renewed call for equality for LGBT people after Moscow violence

- Greens host event for London Eastern European LGBT community

Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, has welcomed a report which names and shames countries around the world where state-sponsored homophobic laws exist.

Homosexuality is illegal in 80 countries around the world, and in five countries it is a crime punishable by death, according to State Sponsored Homophobia, the third annual report from ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Jean, who is a member of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee and the cross-party Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, said:

"This report serves as a reminder of the terrible choice that LGBT people all over the world face: to risk persecution, imprisonment and even death because of their sexuality, or to deny their sexual or gender identity to escape unbearable discrimination. This fundamental abuse of human rights is suffered by too many people. Greens have been at the forefront of efforts to improve protection against all forms of discrimination across Europe, and we have made important progress. But there is still a long way to go.

"Last December, 66 countries signed the United Nations Statement against the criminalisation of homosexuality. It's a sad truth that these states are significantly outnumbered by those 80 countries where homosexuality is illegal. It's up to us to exert pressure on leaders at all levels to end this persecution which stems from homophobia."

The 2009 report from ILGA follows a report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, which found in March that homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people were still widespread across Europe.

Eastern Europe is an area of particular concern, and in March the GreenParty's LGBT Group pledged to work alongside Polish Greens to help tackle homophobia in the region. [3] This Wednesday, Joseph Healy, from the Green Party's LGBT group, is hosting a meeting with members of the Eastern European LGBT community in London.

Events took place last weekend to mark IDAHO 2009, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. In Moscow, the scene of brutal attacks by far-right extremists in the past, sources reported that police used violent and oppressive tactics to break up the peaceful Slavic Pride march. Between 30 and 40 people were arrested. Peter Tatchell, the longstanding human rights campaigner and Jean's Green Party colleague, was detained but
released without charges.

In Riga, the first Baltic Pride march took place in peace, after an earlier attempt by the city authorities to cancel it. Representatives from Pride London, which is twinned with the Riga event, joined the march.

NEW REPORT REVEALS HOMOPHOBIA AND DISCRIMINATION STILL COMMON ACROSS EUROPE

Jean Lambert, London's Green Party MEP, has welcomed a new report from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, assessing the extent of homophobia and discrimination across Europe.

Green Members of the European Parliament initially pushed for the research report to be carried out to provide a true picture of the situation across Europe to inform policy aimed at tackling discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

The report entitled Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States: The Social Situation, will be presented to the European Parliament's Civil Liberties committee on Tuesday 31 March.

The report shows that the current human rights situation for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transsexuals and transgender persons is worrying. According to NGOs and other stakeholders, many LGBT persons still experience discrimination, bullying, harassment and even physical attacks.

Attitudes towards transgender persons were found to be significantly more negative than attitudes towards lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. It also found that homophobic and transphobic crime, like other forms of hate crime, frequently goes unreported as in most Member States such crimes are not recorded or taken seriously.

Jean Lambert MEP, who is a Member of the Civil Liberties Committee and the cross-party Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, said:

"It is disheartening to find that homophobia is still rife in many European countries. Incidences of hate crime still take place, bullying still exists at schools, harassment is still encountered in the workplace and, in retirement homes, there is little awareness of LGBT persons' needs.

"Under such circumstances people are afraid to come out and being 'invisible' becomes a survival strategy. This situation is simply unacceptable.

"European legislation is helping to move forward the political dialogue, but in many countries same-sex relationships are still not legally recognized and this also leads to problems if couples move within the EU.

"What we need now is for political leaders at EU and national level to take a firm stance against homophobia and discrimination against LGBT and trans-gendered persons to help create a positive shift in public attitudes and behaviour."

Later this week, the European Parliament will vote on a new report by Green MEP, Kathalijne Buitenweg, on the proposed anti-discrimination Directive.

Jean Lambert MEP continued:

"I hope that all MEPs will take this opportunity to vote in favour of the report to ensure that new, wide-ranging and progressive anti-discrimination legislation is developed as soon as possible."