Today [14 February], as Europe faces a social and political climate of uncertainty and polarisation, ILGA-Europe (European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) formally launches ComeOut – its campaign for the 2019 European elections.
From 23–26 May, the public will vote in Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), who over the next five years will act as the voice of more than 500 million Europeans.
The very core values on which the EU is founded – respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law – are being called into question.
Human rights – in particular, those of LGBTI people – are facing a forceful challenge.
The time for an EU that defends its own values is now.
ILGA-Europe seeks to unite the voices of fellow civil society organisations, activists and the public at large in our call for a Europe that defends all human rights.
ILGA-Europe is asking MEP candidates to sign its ComeOut pledge publicly, committing them to:
- Strengthening protection in EU law and policy
- Ensuring an enabling environment for LGBTI human rights defenders
- Ensuring EU leadership on LGBTI rights
- Harnessing the power of their position
- Being an ally to under-represented voices
Yesterday evening [13 Februaty] in Strasbourg, candidates from all major EU political parties (EPP, S&D, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens-EFA) were the first to officially sign.
“While the legal and policy situation for LGBTI people has progressed in some areas of Europe, backlash and backsliding have occurred in others – largely as a result of stagnation,” commented ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director Evelyne Paradis.
“We urgently call on candidates for the European Parliament to step up against the current threatening wave of populism and extremism, and make a commitment to protecting, supporting and empowering the citizens they represent, and their fundamental rights.”
