Human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons (LGBT)
Some LGBT organisations are denied registration or are banned from organising peaceful meetings and demonstrations in Europe. Many LGBT persons have fled to Council of Europe member states from countries where their human rights are not protected and they may even risk being tortured or executed because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
| ||||||||
-
Opening speech by Thomas Hammarberg, Council of
Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
|
| | ||||||
Despite
progress in many areas over the last decades, people in Europe are still
stigmatised because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or
gender identity. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT )
persons cannot fully enjoy their universal human rights. They run a risk of becoming victims of hate crime and may not receive protection
when attacked in the street by fellow citizens. 
This report presents the results of the largest socio-legal study ever
carried out on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and
gender identity in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Six
thematic chapters give a broad overview of the human rights situation of
LGBT persons and recommendations are provided for developing and
implementing effective measures to address discrimination. The report
is intended as a tool for dialogue with authorities
and other stakeholders. It constitutes a baseline
study for further action in both legislative and
policy fields to ensure that all LGBT people can
effectively exercise their human rights.
A
documentary on the launch of the report
The
challenge of protecting the human rights of everyone
is to apply a consistent human rights approach and
not to exclude any group of people. It is clear that
many transgender persons do not fully enjoy their
fundamental rights in terms of legal guarantees and
in everyday life. There is a need to take a closer look at their
situation.
