The Council of Europe standards and mechanisms seek to promote and ensure respect for the human rights of every individual. These include equal rights and dignity of all human beings, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

The Council of Europe Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Unit was set up in 2014 to address human rights challenges based on the mandate given to it by Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers to member states on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. In particular, it provides technical support and expertise to member states, upon request, through cooperation activities aiming at improving the legal and institutional frameworks, builds capacity of administration staff and law enforcement, but also promotes the sharing of good practices and raises awareness. Specific themes range from Legal Gender Recognition, inclusion of SOGIESC-diversity in the Workplace, combating SOGIESC-based hate crime, hate speech and bullying, as well as multiple discrimination (e.g. LBT women, LGBTI ethnic minorities, LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees, LGBTI persons deprived of their liberty).

Back New report sheds light on the persistent challenges in combating SOGIESC-based hate crime in Europe

New report sheds light on the persistent challenges in combating SOGIESC-based hate crime in Europe

A new report by the Council of Europe’s Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDADI) focuses on hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) and presents 12 recommendations to Council of Europe member states to counter such crimes. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe considered the report at its meeting on 4 October.

These recommendations encompass a wide range of measures, from improving the capacity and training of law enforcement agencies and promoting accessible reporting for victims, to improving implementation and enforcement of existing legal frameworks. The report was prepared by the CDADI working group on SOGIESC as part of an annual thematic review process initiated in 2021 to follow up the implementation of the Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)5 on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The report features several landmark cases from the European Court of Human Rights that have broadened the scope of protection. These cases underscore the state’s duty to expose bias motives, carry out effective investigations, and shield individuals from LGBTI-phobic threats and violence.

In addition to the report, a document featuring promising practices has been produced showcasing the wealth of information and practices compiled by experts.

CDADI’s adoption of this report signifies an important commitment to combatting such hate crimes and highlights the crucial importance of protecting the rights and dignity of LGBTI individuals. By implementing these recommendations, member states can contribute to a safer and more inclusive society for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics.

Press release: Twelve recommendations to combat hate crimes against LGBTI people in Europe

Thematic Report on Hate Crimes and other Hate-motivated Incidents based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics in Europe 

Strasbourg 4 October 2023
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All children have the right to safe and quality education, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or sex characteristics. In the last decade, national education sectors in most Council of Europe member States started or continued responding to violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or sex characteristics (SOGIESC-based violence). This report provides an overview of this violence in European schools, explores how member States seek to prevent or address it, and makes recommendations to national education sectors to better do so.

Read the report >>