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No. 201, May 2012 - in this issue...

ILGA-EUROPE

ASYLUM

BIAS MOTIVATED SPEECH

BIAS MOTIVATED VIOLENCE

EDUCATION

EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

FAMILY

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

HEALTH

LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION

NOTICE BOARD


ILGA-EUROPE

Very first Annual Review of Human Rights Situation LGBTI in Europe and updated Rainbow Map

ILGA-Europe launched its very first Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe 2011 supplemented by the updated Rainbow Map and Index.
Read more about the publications here

Study visit to EU institutions, 23-25 May 2012

On 23-25 May 2012 ILGA-Europe organised a study visit to EU institutions for 9 LGBT activists from Western Balkans and Turkey.

ASYLUM

Study on LGBTI refugees from Kenya and Uganda

A study by the US-based NGO, Human Rights First has shown that LGBTI people are often amongst the most of vulnerable and isolated refugees, in particular in places where they are at heightened risk due to violent attacks, discrimination and laws which criminalise same-sex relations.
Download the study on LGBTI refugees from Kenya and Uganda here

BIAS MOTIVATED SPEECH

Speaker of Moldovan parliament made homophobic statements

Marian Lupu, speaker of Moldovan parliament and leader of the Democratic Party, was asked during the talk-show on one of Moldovan TV channels to comment on the draft law on equal opportunities, former anti-discrimination law containing controversial amendments. Marian Lupu made a number of aggressive and degrading statements against fundamental rights and freedoms of LGBT people, their human dignity and pursuit of equality.

BIAS MOTIVATED VIOLENCE

Violent attacks on LGBT activists in Moscow and during IDAHO events in St Petersburg and Tbilisi

On the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), 17 May, two events in St Petersburg, Russia, and in Tbilisi, Georgia, ended in violence due to aggressive counter demonstrators. On 27 May, LGBT activists were attacked during a rally by counter demonstrators.
Read more about the events in St Petersburg and Tbilisi here
Read more about the violence against LGBT activists in Moscow here

EU condemns violence at Kiev's first pride event

In statement, EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton voiced her deep concerns over the violence unleashed by a group of ultra-conservative youths during Kiev Pride.

Armenian ombudsman and the Council of Europe's office in Armenia condemn incidents of intolerance and violence against LGBT people

Following two serious incidents of violence in Armenia targeting LGBT people, the Armenian ombudsman and the Council of Europe's office in Armenia have condemned the incidents. 

Questionnaire on hate crimes

The questionnaire is designed to find out about the current methodologies and on going practices used by local, regional, national and umbrella organisations committed to combating and monitoring hate crime. The survey is a part of the Facing Facts! project where ILGA-Europe is an associate partner.
Find the questionnaire here

EDUCATION

Joint IDAHO statement to combat homophobic bullying in schools, in workplaces and in society

Joint commitment of the European Trade Union Committee for Education, the European Trade Union Confederation and the ILGA-Europe to combat homophobic bullying in schools, in workplaces and in society.
Read the joint statement in connection with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2012 here.

Interview with Nigel Warner, ILGA-Europe's Council of Europe Advisor, on education

ILGA-Europe's Council of Europe Advisor, Nigel Warner was video interviewed by the Council of Europe on education. The interview is approximately 17 mins long.
Download the interview here (copy paste the URL): mms://coenews.coe.int/vod/20120220_02_w.wmv

EQUALITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION

Strong support from the European Parliament to fight homophobic laws and discrimination

The European Parliament with a great majority and support from all major political groupings adopted a resolution on the fight against homophobia including the homophobic laws in Europe.
Read more about the resolution here

Mixed reactions to adoption of Moldova’s anti-discrimination law

The Moldovan Parliament adopted a Law on Ensuring Equality. While the adoption of an anti-discrimination legislation is a positive measure, ILGA-Europe is concerned that the ground of sexual orientation is not explicitly mentioned in the list of grounds of discrimination covered by the law, except in relation to discrimination in the workplace.
Read more about the developments in Moldova here

Resolution from European Parliament on the human rights situation in Azerbaijan

All actions aimed at suppressing the freedom of expression and assembly in Azerbaijan should stop immediately, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament.
Read more about the adopted resolution here

2011 Annual Report of the OHCHR

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has launched their Annual Report for 2011.

Discrimination is illegal. Fight it.

The European Commission launched a new EU employment anti-discrimination advert campaign called Discrimination is illegal. Fight it.
Read more and download the posters

FAMILY

NGOs call the EU Member States and the European Commission to safeguard family life of migrants and refugees

On the 15 May 2012 - the International Day of Families - 64 NGOs sent a joint statement to the EU Member States and the European Commission with a message to safeguard family life of migrants and refugees.
Read the statement here

Initiative for recognizing same-sex partnerships is addressed to Montenegrin Parliament

The Institution of Ombudsman has forwarded the initiative for adoption of the law of the same-sex partnership to the Parliament of Montenegro.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Ukrainian Parliament discusses law amendments banning the promotion of homosexuality

ILGA-Europe expresses its severe concerns about the passing of law amendments in the Committee on Freedom of Expression and Information of the Ukrainian Parliament.
Read more about the law amendments here

Anti-LGBT propaganda bill passed in Siberia

The regional legislature in Russia's Siberia region has passed a bill banning promotion of LGBT practices among minors.

HEALTH

South Caucasus network of MSM/trans organisations established

Gender and Development NGO (Azerbaijan), We for Civil Equality NGO (Armenia) and Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health - Tanadgoma NGO (Georgia) have signed an agreement on the establishment of the first-ever network of organisations in South Caucasus working on HIV/AIDS prevention among MSM (men having sex with men) and trans communities.
Read the press release from the newly established network here

LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION

Groundbreaking strategic legal victory for trans people in Moldova

The Appeal Court of Chisinau has released a decision allowing trans people to change their legal documents, namely birth certificates, in accordance with their prefered gender. 

NOTICE BOARD

High-level conference on development and non-discrimination, 1 June 2012, Brussels

The European Commission will host the conference Non-discrimination and development: An agenda for change. Speakers include Navi Pillay, Youssou N’Dour, Louise Mushikiwabo, Alva Baptiste, and Louis Michel.
Read more about the conference, and how you can attend here

4th European Transgender Council 2012

The 4th European Transgender Council will take place in Dublin, Ireland, between the 6 – 9 September 2012. The theme is Trans Rights Now! Realizing Recognition, Respect and Equality
Read more about the Council organised by Transgender Europe here

Stonewall's 7th Annual Education for All Conference 2012

Britain’s main event for education and youth professionals, this conference will equip you with the tools, resources and confidence you need to prevent and tackle homophobic bullying and celebrate different families. This year's event promises to be the biggest and best yet. Speakers include Director-General of the BBC Mark Thompson and Shadow Education Secretary Stephen Twigg MP.
Check website of Stonewall for more information

Call for submissions: European Diversity Awards 2012

The European Diversity Awards 2012 seeks to recognise the efforts of those who are building a society across Europe which embraces all citizens, irrespective of race, gender, physical and psychological abilities, sexual orientation, and religious belief. All entries should be submitted online by Friday 29 June 2012.
Read more about the awards and how to submit an entry here

Call for abstracts: National LGBT Health Summit 2012, Canterbury, UK, 13-14 September 2012

The 2012 Summit is now open for submissions of abstracts. An abstract is a summary of something you think would be usefully presented at the Summit such as a research paper, an evaluation of a project or perhaps a sharing of experiences. We encourage abstract submissions from academics, professionals, organisations, community groups, individuals and activists in three categories: plenary presentations, workshops, poster presentations.
Read more about the summit and how to submit your abstract here

Conference: Gendering the Flagships, 20 June 2012

The conference will discuss/show how Gender Equality is fundamental in meeting the objectives of the EU 2020 strategy. The conference is organised by The European Commission (DG Employment) and The European Community of Practice on Gender Mainstreaming (GenderCoP.eu).
Read more about the conference here

Citizens' rights: European Commission kicks off the broadest public consultation ever and asks citizens to set future agenda

The European Commission is calling on citizens all over the European Union to help set the policy agenda for the next years and shape the future of Europe in the biggest ever EU public consultation on citizens' rights.
Read more about the public consultation here

Publication: Protect - Identifying and Protecting High risk Victims of Gender Based Violence

WAVE – Women Against Violence Europe, European Network and European Info centre Against Violence has produced a publication focused on victims of gender based violence.

Call for submissions of short films by young people

The project connects EU-based gay and lesbian associations, schools, media professionals promoting the rights of children and young people to their sexual orientation and who fight against homophobia, in order to A) study stereotypes and B) challenge them. Submission deadline: 8 June 2012.
Read more about the project and how to submit here

Job opportunity: Researcher for the European Roma Rights Centre

The European Roma Rights Centre is looking for a researcher. The researcher will be responsible for the development and implementation of research and advocacy work in relation to ERRC strategic priorities, by providing human rights research knowledge and know-how, strong analysis and effective communication skills.
Read more about the job opportunity here

Intern opportunity: The Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Project of the International Commission of Jurists

The Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Project of the International Commission of Jurists is currently seeking an intern beginning July 2012 for a six-month period to work from its International Secretariat in Geneva.
Read more about the intern opportunity here

 


ILGA-Europe Rainbow Digest is published by ILGA-Europe - the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Intersex Association
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ISSN 1998-8117
Editor: Mehmet Akin
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This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Rights Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme 2014-2020 of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of ILGA-Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.



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