Strasbourg, 7 October – Today, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2025)7 to member States on Equal Rights for Intersex Persons, marking a historic milestone for equality, dignity, and human rights of intersex persons across Europe.
This is the first comprehensive international legal instrument specifically dedicated to protecting and promoting the human rights of intersex persons. Adopted through an intergovernmental process by the 46 member States of the Council of Europe, it provides authoritative guidance to governments in establishing laws and policies that prohibit non-consensual medical interventions, ensuring that any interventions on intersex children are postponed until they can decide for themselves, while guaranteeing equitable access to healthcare throughout life. It also calls on governments to prevent violence, discrimination and exclusion of intersex persons across all areas of life.
Official launch of the Recommendation on 27 October to mark Intersex Awareness Day and the start of #EuropeGoesPurple awareness raising initiative
The official launch of the Recommendation will take place on 27 October 2025 at a high-level event in Strasbourg, organised under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers to mark Intersex Awareness Day (26 October). The event will bring together institutional leaders, intersex persons and their families, and representatives from European and international organisations to reflect on the significance of this landmark instrument and the path ahead for its implementation. The event will be broadcast live online to enable broad participation across member States and beyond.
The event will also mark the start of the #EuropeGoesPurple campaign. Running from 26 October to 8 November 2025, #EuropeGoesPurple is a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and OII Europe, aimed at raising public awareness, visibility and political momentum for intersex equality across Europe. During the campaign, buildings, landmarks and digital spaces across the continent will light up in purple, in solidarity with intersex persons and in celebration of visibility and equal rights.
Further details about the event and #EuropeGoesPurple campaign, including the link to follow the live broadcast, will be available on:
