europe news

Vol. 1, issue 3, November 2001 ilga letter www.ilga-europe.org

Scandal in Egypt 52 allegedly gay men on trial Photo: Mona Sharaf conference snapshots news europe letter ilga

Editorial

ILGA-Europe’s annual conference in was a great success. Our host, COC Nederland, had arranged an excellent meeting includ- ing a theme day on partnership which aimed at sharing information on developments regarding partnership legislation and initiatives across Europe. The conference programme contained a broad range of workshops, some focusing on developing ILGA-Europe policies and others of a more project-related nature. The General Assembly adopt- The European Region of the ed the work programme and budget for 2001-2002 and elected a new International Lesbian and Gay Association executive board. Much work went into preparing the conference, and Avenue de Tervueren/ several articles on the following pages will cover the events in Rotter- Tervurenlaan 94/1 dam. B-1040 Bank account # 001-3523388-36 Phone: +32 2 732 54 88 Fortis Bank The setting up an office in Brussels has also resulted in increased co- Fax: +32 2 732 51 64 Vooruitgangstraat 333/9, operation with other European networks fighting discrimination, in [email protected] B-1030 Brussels particular within the Platform of European Social NGOs. We, there- www.ilga-europe.org SWIFT: GEBABEEB fore, decided to start a new section in our Newsletter where we will introduce our European partners and the activities and projects we are involved in, hoping that this will also inspire and promote the hori- Table of contents zontal approach to combat discrimination at national and local levels. 2 Conference snapshots Another advantage of having an office in Brussels is the increased co- 3 Editorial operation with members of the (MEPs), notably 4 ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference of its Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights. As the European Union is 5 Creating Partnership in Europe currently seeking to harmonise asylum and immigration , the 7 The new executive board of ILGA-Europe relations with MEPs are very important. In order to influence the leg- islative processes, ILGA-Europe has been commissioning specific posi- 8 Immigration and asylum: Major campaigns needed tion papers for submission to the EP, the Commission and the Coun- 9 LGBT rights continue to be on the EU enlargement cil. The increased communication with MEPs is reflected in many of agenda the articles of this Newsletter, covering the many initiatives on the EP 11 Action programme: Phase 1 for the 71 pre-selected agenda at the moment. There have also been very positive develop- projects ments in the area of EU enlargement. The EP hearing last June has 13 Council of Europe: Historic statement really impacted on the Parliament’s accession country progress resolu- 14 The Social Platform tions adopted in September. But at the same time we should not forget 15 Recent activities that there is also a Europe beyond the member states and the accession European Arrest Warrant countries, and we, therefore, have included an article on very exciting Combating sexual exploitation of children developments in Moldova. 16 News Clips Increasing pressure on Egypt We would also like to apologise for the delay in receiving our last Will EU recognise Dutch same-sex marriages? issue. There were problems with the DHL dispatch outside our con- Finland adopts Registered Partnership Act trol. DHL obviously processed the Newsletter only ten days after our European Liberals unanimous on same-sex marriage Compensation for Nazi victims delivery – when we complained because the board members “control 18 Moldova: Twinning project launched group” around Europe still had not received it. 19 Latvia: Lesbian and gay activists from Eastern and THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Central Europe met

The ILGA-Europe Newsletter is the quarterly newsletter of ILGA-Europe Design & Layout: Christian Högl (www.creativbox.at) Volume 1, issue 3, November 2001 Printer: Sofadi, Brussels This newsletter is published with the sup- port of the European Union and Homo- Editors: Kurt Krickler (KK), Next issue: February 2002 sexuelle Selbsthilfe,Berlin. The informa- Mette Vadstrup (MV) Deadline: 31 January 2002 tion contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or Contributors: Maxim Anmeghichean, © ILGA-Europe. Reproduction permitted, opinion of the . Juris Lavrikovs, Nigel Warner (NW), provided that appropriate reference is The Commission is not liable for any use Robert Wintemute. made to the source. that may be made of this information. 3 europe news ilga letter

Rotterdam, 24-28 October 2001 ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference

120 delegates from 31 countries cated to discussing equality for dam, the German Heinrich-Böll- Opus Gay. António Serzedelo attended ILGA-Europe’s annual all forms of partnerships and Stiftung, the Open Society Insti- received the ILGA-Europe flag conference organised by the families of lesbian, gay, bisexual tute, the Dutch funding organisa- that is always handed over from Dutch national lesbian and gay and transgender people (see sep- tions HIVOS and Mama Cash, the outgoing host to the next one. association COC.While it was arate article on page 5. The pro- and from the COC Haaglanden Glasgow, winning over Copen- the 5th annual conference of gramme of the conference also branch. This support made it hagen, was chosen as venue for ILGA-Europe (after London included two pre-conferences, possible to bring many delegates the 2003 annual conference. 1997, Linz 1998, Pisa 1999, and one on trade unions, one on Bucharest 2000), it was already community based working, the the 23rd European conference of latter organised by the Dutch ILGA, as ILGA’s European Region Schorerstichting, and a whole was only established in Madrid series of workshops dealing, for in 1996. example, with potential further developments at EU level where new opportunities are opened up from Central, Eastern and South- General assembly by the Community action pro- ern Europe on a scholarship pro- gramme to combat discrimina- gramme to the conference. The Rotterdam conference also tion (see separate article on served as ILGA-Europe’s general p. 11) and the legal changes The City of Rotterdam received assembly, and we could look back envisaged in the field of immi- the delegates both at the City on an extremely successful busi- gration, free movement and asy- Hall and the Boijmans van ness year. As reported before lum (see separate article on p. 8). Beuningen Museum which ILGA-Europe has been operating offered a tour of its spectacular on a core-funding grant from the A special focus this year was Hieronymus Bosch exhibition. European Commission since given to defining the needs and The social programme also December 2000 which made it issues of transgender communi- included a boat trip on the river possible to open an office in ties in Europe and consequently Maas and the showing of the Brussels and to hire two employ- increasing ILGA-Europe’s own movie The Celluloid Closet, com- ees in February 2001. Another skills in arguing against gender mon evening dinners and a major activity area of the past 12 identity discrimination and mak- farewell party. COC has arranged months was the important work ing the T in LGBT visible and a well-organised and excellent carried out in the context of EU strong in our work. A new work- conference which created a very enlargement (see separate article ing group was formed which will constructive and enthusiastic on p. 9). The executive board focus on the new gender directive atmosphere. presented a detailed 20-page to be proposed by the European printed activity report for 2000- Commission. The next ILGA European confer- 2001. A copy can be ordered Delegates form 31 countries ence will take place in Lisbon in from our office or downloaded participated in the workshops The conference received financial autumn 2002 and be organised from our web site. support from the City of Rotter- by Portuguese ILGA member

The opening plenary was addressed by , member of the Dutch Parliament for the liberal D66 party, Renée Jones-Bos, Human Rights Ambassador at the Dutch Min- istry for Foreign Affairs, and ILGA World secretary-general Kürs¸ad Karamanog˘lu. Jackie Lewis welcomed the participants on behalf of ILGA-Europe, COC board member Karin Hagelstein and Coen van Gestel on behalf of the organisers.

The theme of the four-day con- ference was “Creating partner- Dutch MP Boris Dittrich, Human Rights Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos and ILGA secretary-general Kürs¸ad 4 ship”,and a whole day was dedi- Karamanog˘lu addressed the opening plenary news europe letter ilga

ILGA-Europe to recruit Executive Director

ILGA-Europe is to command the will start work in appoint an Executive respect of represen- May 2002. Director. We are tatives of the Euro- looking for someone pean institutions, If you are interested able both to develop while motivating in applying for this and execute results- LGBT organisations position, please e- oriented campaign- to join in co-ordinat- mail Nigel Warner ing strategies. She ed pan-European for an application or he will need to campaigns. It is pack: be a highly effective planned that the [email protected] lobbyist, able to Executive Director

gramme against discrimination World board. As reserves were (see advertisement above). elected Grada Schadee (AOB, ) and Miran Sˇolinc ˇ António Serzedelo received the ILGA-Europe conference flag for A new executive board was also (SKUC-Magnus, Slovenia). Lisbon 2002 elected – see the separate presen- tation of the new board on p. 7. Most of the conference papers, ILGA-Europe’s treasurer Nigel further development of ILGA- Also the two representatives of documents, minutes and the Warner also presented the current Europe’s staffing resources was the European Region to the ILGA conference report are available at state of ILGA-Europe’s finances debated and adopted. It is World board and their reserves our web site at: as of the end of August 2001. The planned to hire two more staff in were elected. Jackie Lewis and www.ilga-europe.org. budget for the next business year 2002 to be able to fully make use Pierre Noël (Tels Quels, ) and a work programme for the of the opportunities offered at will continue as the European KURT KRICKLER period 2001-2002 foreseeing the EU level by the action pro- representatives on the ILGA

Rotterdam conference hosts first theme day Creating partnership in Europe

“Creating Partnership” was the same-sex partnerships at the European overview tration laws providing rights and slogan of the Rotterdam confer- national and European levels. duties that are substantially infe- ence, and Friday, 26 October was Robert Wintemute, a profes- rior to civil marriage. Unregis- “Partnership Day”.For the first Chaired by Astrid Mattijssen and sor at King’s College London, tered same-sex cohabitants time a whole day of the annual Peter Zijlema, Partnership Day then gave an overview of the sit- receive an inferior package of conference was devoted to a spe- began with a speech by Henk uation in Europe. He noted that rights and duties in Hungary and cific theme. As the first country Krol, editor-in-chief of the Gay the last four years have seen Portugal, and laws in Austria, in the world to recognise cohab- Krant, the leading lesbian and gay rapid progress in the area of Spain (national level) and the iting same-sex partners (1979) publication in the Netherlands. partnership. It took from 1979 to United Kingdom (Scotland) and to open up civil marriage to He recalled how he discovered in 1997 for the number of countries recognise them in a few specific same-sex couples (2001), the 1985 that the Dutch civil code (or regions within countries) areas. But progress on equal Netherlands was the perfect place was silent on the sexes of the par- with some form of legislation parental rights for same-sex part- to explore this subject. The aims ties to a marriage. This led to a recognising same-sex partners to ners has been much slower. of the day were to share informa- test case, which was rejected by grow from 1 to 7. Yet from 1997 Although at least 33 of 43 Coun- tion on developments in the the Dutch Supreme Court in to September 2001, the total has cil of Europe member states have Netherlands and elsewhere in 1990 but clearly put the onus on soared from 7 to 19. In addition no legislative or judicial ban on Europe, to discuss how ILGA- the Dutch Parliament to act. It to the Dutch laws, registered adoption by lesbian and gay indi- Europe member organisations responded by passing a registered partnership laws providing rights viduals, second-parent adoption can support each other’s national partnerships law in 1997, and the and duties almost equal to civil is permitted only in Denmark, struggles toward greater equality law opening up civil marriage in marriage have been passed in Iceland and the Netherlands, in the area of partnership, and to 2000. Mr Krol organised the Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Nor- domestic joint adoption is per- identify the ways in which ILGA- world’s first legal same-sex wed- way and Sweden, while Belgium, mitted only in the Netherlands, Europe, the European Union and dings at City Hall, France, , four regions in and no European country has the Council of Europe can con- seconds after the law came into Spain, and one canton in authorised international joint tribute to the legal recognition of force on 1 April 2001. Switzerland have adopted regis- adoption. 5 europe news ilga letter

After the review of the legal situ- ation, Lousewies van der Laan, MEP for the European Liberal and Democratic Party, spoke about the political situation and how political action and argu- ments could achieve legal change. She stressed that the issue is “marriage”,not “gay marriage”. There is only one kind of civil marriage in European countries and the question is why it is not discrimination to exclude same- sex couples from this public institution. She urged those pres- ent to insist that opponents of the opening up of marriage pro- vide non-discriminatory reasons Law professor Robert Wintemute, MEP Lousewies van der Laan and Gay Krant editor-in-chief Henk Krol addressed the Partnership Day why two women or two men should not be allowed to marry. When pressed to do so, they will lected, e. g., the rights of LGBT paper on this issue which is avail- things considered, these are very not be able to provide any. persons who are younger or able on our web site. complex, technical and compli- older or from ethnic minorities cated matters, not at all “sexy” as For the rest of the morning, Part- or without a partner or living in Joke Swiebel, MEP for the Euro- may sound the simple demand nership Day participants split another kind of relationship. pean Social Democrats, for same-sex marriage. into three regional groups addressed the EU session. She in this field will mean to come (Northern, Southern, and Cen- emphasised that civil law will up with the right demand at the tral and Eastern Europe) to talk Lobbying at European level continue to be a matter of sub- right institution at the right time. about the lessons that can be sidiarity and reside with the The institutions have different learned from the development of Partnership Day then moved to member states for a long time. A roles to play here, and the Euro- partnership in their countries. the European level, with partici- European directive on registered pean Parliament certainly could Participants wrote their ideas on pants choosing from three ses- partnership, therefore, is far have the agenda building role. hundreds of post-its and organ- sions: “How could European away.Still, there are things to The Intergroup on Gay and Les- ised them on flip-charts. Robert Union action help?”,“ILGA- work for at EU level, such as the bian Rights will take up this issue Wintemute began the afternoon Europe policy toward partner- recognition of same-sex partner- as its next project. by summarising the results of the ship in Europe” and “The role of ship legislation existing in some regional sessions. First, it is clear the Council of Europe institu- member states by all member An information market followed that LGBT organisations across tions (including the European states and the EU institutions, for the European sessions, allowing the 43 member states of the Court of Human Rights)”.ILGA- example in the staff regulations participants to view all the flip- Council of Europe have very dif- Europe had prepared a policy for their own employees. All over charts. Finally, Robert Win- ferent starting points, with regard to their national legislation, pub- lic attitudes, the influence of reli- New book on same-sex partnerships gions, and their basic ability to function as an LGBT organisa- Legal Recognition of Law, King’s College as well as United tion. In some countries, partner- Same-Sex Partnerships: London, on 1-3 July Nations human rights ship is therefore a low priority. A Study of National, 1999. It covers legal law. The book’s appen- Second, member organisations European and Interna- developments under the dices of legislation on need both to “aim high” and to tional Law, edited by European Convention on same-sex partnerships, “be realistic”.It took 22 years for Robert Wintemute and Human Rights, Euro- sexual orientation dis- the Netherlands to move from its Mads Andenæs, was pean Community law, crimination and gender first legislative recognition of published by Hart Pub- and the national laws of identity discrimination same-sex partnerships to the lishing, Oxford, Eng- thirteen European coun- are also available at opening up of civil marriage. The land, on 22 October tries (Austria, Belgium, www.ilga.org (World recent changes occurring simul- 2001 (the 20th anniver- Denmark, France, Ger- Legal Survey). taneously in many European sary of Dudgeon v. Unit- many, Hungary, Ireland, countries will speed up the ed Kingdom). The book Italy, the Netherlands, To order a copy or view process in those countries that is based on an interna- Spain, Sweden, USA, Canada, Brazil, the table of contents, have not yet started, but equality tional conference held Switzerland, and the Australia, New Zealand, see: www.hartpub.co.uk cannot be achieved overnight. at the Centre of Euro- United Kingdom). It also South Africa, Israel, or: www.isbs.com (USA Third, LGBT issues other than pean Law, School of has chapters on the India, China and Japan, and Canada). 6 partnership should not be neg- news europe letter ilga

temute ended the day on an opti- member states had blanket bans civil marriage to same-sex cou- ning of a domino effect, as the mistic note. Partnership Day on sexual activity between men ples in the Netherlands has the walls dividing same-sex and dif- took place only four days after (Liechtenstein and Romania also same significance as the first ferent-sex couples come tum- the 20th anniversary of the Euro- between women). Today, such cracks in the Iron Curtain in bling down in one country after pean Court of Human Rights’ bans have almost completely dis- 1989. It is a legal watershed for another. The changes will take historic judgement of 22 October appeared. By 2021, the same will the world; what was once longer than in 1989. But by 1981 in Dudgeon v. United King- be true of legal discrimination unthinkable has finally hap- working together through ILGA- dom.At that time, 14 of what are against LGBT partnership and pened. Plans for a similar reform Europe, we can speed them up! now the 43 Council of Europe parenting. The opening up of in Belgium could be the begin-

The new executive board of ILGA-Europe

The new executive board and reserves: Miran Sˇolinc (SLO), Tatjana Greif (SLO), Adrian Coman (RO), Riccardo Gottardi (I), Jackie Lewis (UK), Kurt Krickler (A), Nigel Warner (UK), Tiia Aarnipuu (FIN), Anke Hintjens (B); “missing”: Nico Beger (D), Ali Jarvis (UK)

On the last day of the Rotterdam Adrian Coman is the executive Kurt Krickler was a co-founder, in tion Group. His involvement with conference, the new executive director of ACCEPT (Bucharest 1979, of Homosexuelle Initiative ILGA goes back to its foundation board of ILGA-Europe – consist- Acceptance Group) and has been (HOSI) Wien, Austria’s first gay in 1978. In 1986 he took on ing of eight people – was elected. a member of the board since and lesbian organisation, and is responsibility for ILGA World’s We would like to introduce the 1997. His work is focused on still active in it, currently as its finances, and, together with a board members here: human rights and Central and secretary-general and editor-in- group of friends in the UK, ran Eastern Europe, and he has been chief of its quarterly magazine. the Financial Secretariat until Tiia Aarnipuu is one of the two one of the key persons in ILGA He has been involved in ILGA 1994. He then took a four-year new board members. She is the Europe’s projects in this area. since 1981 and serving in the break before becoming one of chairperson of the Finnish ILGA-Europe board, as co-chair, ILGA-Europe’s co-delegates to national LGBT organisation Riccardo Gottardi is the other since its foundation in December the Council of Europe in 1998. SETA and also a founding mem- new member of the board. He is 1996. He joined the board of ILGA- ber of the Rainbow Families vice-president of Arcigay Pride!, Europe last year and became its association in Finland, where she the local Arcigay branch in Pisa. Jackie Lewis has been a trade treasurer. has been working on family and The first ILGA conference he union and human rights activist religious issues. attended was in 1998, and a year for over 20 years. She is a mem- later he was involved in organis- ber of the National Lesbian and Also reserve members were elect- Nico Beger is a 32 year old tran- ing the next one in Pisa. Gay Committee of UNISON, the ed in Rotterdam. Ali Jarvis from ny boy living in Berlin. S/he is largest trade union in the UK, Stonewall Scotland was elected affiliated to the lesbian group Tatjana Greif got involved in the and of the Lesbian and Gay first reserve for the women’s seats within the German Green Party LGBT movement in the early Committee of the British trade in the board, Anke Hintjens from (Lesbenbereich Bündnis 90/Die 1990’s and is currently working union confederation (TUC). She the Flemish Federatie Werk- Grünen), has been in ILGA- as a programme manager of the works in a local authority in groepen Homoseksualiteit (FWH) Europe’s executive board for four Slovene lesbian group SˇKUC-LL. London and has been co-chair of in Ghent second reserve. Miran years and still enjoys the work a She is involved in various educa- the executive board since ILGA- Sˇolinc from SˇKUC-Magnus in lot. In real life s/he is an academ- tional and anti-homophobic Europe was founded in Decem- Slovenia was elected as reserve ic with a background in femi- projects, and since 1997 a mem- ber 1996. for the men’s seats in the board. nist/cultural theory and philoso- ber of the governmental commis- phy. sion tasked to draft same-sex Nigel Warner is currently affiliat- partnership legislation. ed with the Stonewall Immigra- 7 europe news ilga letter

Immigration and asylum Major campaigns needed ments will be crucial if any changes to the draft Directive are at national and EU level to be achieved.

As reported in our August granted only to married couples. recognition of same-sex partner- Minimum standards for the quali- Newsletter, the European Com- In practice this has made it ships. Thirdly, such rights would fication and status of third coun- mission is proceeding rapidly almost impossible for bi-national not cover those couples who do try nationals and stateless per- with proposals for the harmoni- same-sex couples (where one not wish to enter into marriage sons as refugees sation of asylum and immigra- partner is from outside the EU) or registered partnership. tion laws. ILGA-Europe is now to move within the EU. Fourthly, the draft Directive does This draft Directive,2 which has launching a major campaign at not make it clear that discrimina- been published recently, deals national and European level to The new draft Directive would tion against transgendered peo- inter alia with the question of try to ensure that two crucial extend the right of free move- which grounds of draft Directives reflect the needs ment to unmarried couples, but persecution can Mark Bell drafted a of LGBT people. only if “the legislation of the host be considered for series of position papers Member State treats unmarried for ILGA-Europe on refugee status. couples as equivalent to married migration and asylum There is very Draft Directive on the Free Move- couples”.This is unsatisfactory: issues and presented good news: the ment of European Citizens first, it is unclear how far this them in various work- draft includes would apply in those countries shop at the Rotterdam persecution on This proposal1 covers the whole where there is some form of conference the grounds of question of the free movement of recognition of same-sex partner- sexual orienta- EU citizens within the Union, ships, since it is not clear which tion. However, one of the fundamental rights of these laws (if any) qualify as there is no guar- attaching to citizenship. Until being “equivalent” to marriage. ple in this field is prohibited. antee that the member states will now this right has been denied to Secondly, freedom of movement ILGA-Europe has prepared a posi- agree to this proposal. Moreover, same-sex partners, and their would not exist for those coun- tion paper which proposes ILGA-Europe wishes to see the families, because it has been tries where there is no such amendments to the draft Direc- Directive cover persecution on tive to address all these concerns, grounds of gender identity. So and which is published at the again, ILGA-Europe is preparing ILGA-Europe web site. This is a position paper, and will be lob- being used to lobby the Commis- bying the Brussels institutions on sion, the Presidency, and MEPs. these issues. Unlike other directives dealing with immigration and asylum Lobbying by member organisa- issues, this one is subject to co- tions of their national govern- decision by the European Parlia- ment will also be crucially ment. We hope to persuade the important if the proposal to Parliament to make a strong stand include sexual orientation perse- on this issue. Whatever happens, cution is to be retained, and if the draft Directive presents an gender identity persecution is to opportunity for a major debate be included. within the European institutions on the elimination of discrimina- So please get involved! If your tion against LGBT people in the organisation would like to join exercise of their right to free the lobbying of your govern- movement. ment, please e-mail the ILGA- Europe office, info@ilga- It is vitally important that europe.org, for copies of the national member organisations ILGA-Europe position papers, or also lobby their government in download them from our web support of these proposals, since site. the support of national govern- NIGEL WARNER

1 Its full title is: Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the terri- tory of the Member States – COM (2001) 257. 2 The full title is: Proposal for a Council Directive laying down minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals and stateless persons as refugees, in accordance with the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees and the 1967 Proto- 8 col, or as persons who otherwise need international protection – COM (2001) 510. news europe letter ilga

European Parliament LGBT rights continue to be on the EU enlargement agenda

Each year the European Parlia- charge of preparing the progress Immediate effects Democrats and many others vot- ment and the European Com- reports and draft resolutions) for ing against it. This is not such a mission publish reports evaluat- Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania After the vote in the plenary, MEP complex or controversial issue. If ing the progress made by the 12 all made reference to these dis- Lousewies van der Laan a country wants to join the EU accession countries in meeting criminatory laws in their draft (ELDR/NL) stated: “My stance on but at the same time discrimi- the criteria for accession to the resolution. However the rappor- the accession has always been that nates against a segment of its own European Union. The Parliament teur for Cyprus, Jacques Poos human rights must be respected, population, we should state clear- also summarises its findings in a (PES/L), omitted any such refer- not be negotiated on. The Euro- ly that it has a problem”. resolution on each country, in ence. Consequently, the Green which it draws particular atten- Group, the Liberal Group and I want to make it crystal clear that the Com- tion to issues on which further Michael Cashman (PES/UK) mission will continue to press in the enlarge- progress must be made. The res- tabled amendments to make up ment negotiations for full observance of olutions for the current year were for this omission. ILGA-Europe human rights and the rights of minorities. This adopted on 5 September 2001. supported these amendments includes a ban on any discrimination based with a fax campaign targeted at on age, gender, sexual orientation or religious The Parliament’s evaluation of approximately 150 key members conviction. progress with regard to recognis- of the Parliament. Despite the Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen ing LGBT rights was made opposition of the European Peo- during the debate on EU Enlargement in the against the background of the ple’s Party, the amendments on EP in Strasbourg on 4 September 2001. hearing held on 28 June in the Cyprus were successful. EP in Brussels, “EU Enlargement: pean Parliament should send that Another MEP, Joke Swiebel A Gay Perspective” (see ILGA- The EP resolutions send a clear signal unambiguously to those (PES/NL), commented that it was Europe Newsletter # 2, pp. 4-5). signal to these accession countries that still need to work significant that the EP and the EU The hearing had highlighted the countries – a message which is on their human rights record. I Enlargement Commissioner, continuing existence of discrimi- strong because ultimately the was bitterly disappointed that it Günter Verheugen, have both natory laws in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Parliament has the power to took so much effort to get the gay emphasised that discrimination Hungary, and Romania. The Par- block the accession of a particu- rights amendment to the Cyprus on the basis of sexual orientation liament’s rapporteurs (who are in lar country. report passed, with Christian- is a human rights question. This implies that LGBT human rights EP Resolutions on the accession countries are no longer seen as something additional, an irritating minor Excerpts from the EP res- homosexuals relations Romania Cyprus point, somewhere down the list, olutions adopted on 5 must be eliminated so as but as an integral element of the September 2001: to reach compliance with (6.) Calls on the Roman- (B) Whereas the only so-called Copenhagen criteria, legal European stan- ian authorities to do their legislation that is in which all accession candidates dards; utmost to comply with EU compliance with Euro- Hungary must meet if they are to be admit- basic principles regard- pean standards is legis- ted to the European Union. (14.) Calls on the Hun- (9.) Calls upon the Bul- ing the protection of lation that eliminates all garian government to garian government to minorities, to adopt provisions that specifi- The Commission is now in the eliminate provisions in eliminate provisions in strategies for integrating cally criminalise homo- very final stage of preparing its the penal code that dis- the penal code that dis- minorities, to recognise sexual relations, annual reports on the accession criminate against homo- criminate against homo- their legitimate rights countries and in that context Joke sexual men and lesbian sexual men and lesbian and, in particular, to (25.) Calls upon the Swiebel also considers that the EP women, notably article women, notably Article introduce legislation Cyprus government to resolutions will be of great 199, a provision that is 157, a provision that is against discrimination eliminate all provisions importance: “The text of the reso- declared contrary to the declared contrary to the pursuant to Art. 13 of the in the penal code that lutions as adopted by the EP European Convention on European Convention on EC Treaty and the Charter discriminate against mentions for all countries con- Human Rights by the Human Rights by the of Fundamental Rights; homosexual men and les- European Commission of European Commission of welcomes the abolition, bian women, notably cerned the number of the penal Human Rights; Human Rights; stresses by an Emergency Ordi- Article 171, a provision code article that is discriminatory. that retention of this arti- nance of 21 June 2001, that is declared contrary Nobody could be in a position anymore to say that he or she did Bulgaria cle in the penal code of Article 200 of the to the European Conven- would mean a failure to penal code; urges the tion on Human Rights by not know what we are talking (H) Whereas all provi- comply with the political Senate to complete the the European Commis- about. This is important with a sions that criminalise Copenhagen criteria; procedure immediately; sion of Human Rights; view to all future talks by Com- mission officials or EP delegations 9 europe news ilga letter

with authorities of the accession countries. For all those talks files EP Hearing report published for delegates are prepared, in The report of the June by a group of MEPs led first presented to the which the latest EP resolution 2001 EP hearing: “EU by Joke Swiebel, public at the ILGA- cannot be omitted. This will pre- Enlargement: A Gay Michael Cashman and Europe conference in vent e. g. members of the national Perspective” organised Patsy Sörensen was Rotterdam. Before she parliaments from denying that handed over copies of there is a problem concerning gay the publications to rights in their country, as happens ILGA-Europe board frequently, as I can tell you from members Tatjana Greif my own experience. Moreover, and Adrian Coman, the next round of reports by the Joke Swiebel sum- Commission will now have to marised the outcome of report and update the informa- the hearing and the and Lesbian Rights and tion. The first ‘victory’ is already impact it had on the EP ILGA-Europe, stating that “co-ordinated ours with Cyprus announcing resolutions on the accession countries. action has proven to be they will abolish Article 171 of She also stressed the worth while”. their penal code.” MEP Joke Swiebel delivers copies of the importance of the joint For a copy of the EP Enlargement hearing report to Adrian work and efforts of the report, please contact Coman and Tatjana Greif. Cyprus EP Intergroup on Gay the ILGA-Europe office.

The case of Cyprus clearly demonstrated that the Parliament, signals that discrimination faced tion, through Emergency Ordi- obstacle to Romania’s member- e. g. its members, can play a sig- by LGB people is OK. We must nance 137/2000. Such ordinances ship of the European Union.” nificant role in the accession put real pressure on the Commis- are to be considered as draft bills process. Lousewies van der Laan sion to ensure that the Treaties are that need to be confirmed by par- Michael Cashman, as shadow rap- also wrote to the Cypriot govern- upheld and specifically ‘respect liament decision. While the Sen- porteur on Romania for the ment explaining why she voted for minorities and human rights’. ate approved the ordinance in Group of the Party of European against the EP report on the There needs to be concerted March, the Chamber of Deputies Socialists (PES), has been closely accession of Cyprus and why she action to oversee the reports on deleted sexual orientation from following this matter: “Romania is would continue to do so until all accession states, to monitor them the list of non-discrimination an excellent example of how con- discriminatory laws were and amend them.” grounds when it voted on the tinued pressure and monitoring repealed. This statement caused a ordinance on 4 October. This is in can produce results. I have per- minor hype in the Cyprus media The government officials were flagrant contradiction with the sistently worked at PES level and and, combined with the pressure taken by surprise and completely demand of the European Parlia- in Foreign Affairs to ensure that from the EP and Verheugen’s unprepared. First they denied the ment that, in its resolution, firmly lesbian and gay rights are kept unequivocal statement, made the existence of any discrimination called on the Romanian authori- within the report. Furthermore I Cyprus government announce the against gays and lesbians, thus ties to introduce anti-discrimina- have worked closely with other repeal of the discriminatory penal revealing that they have never tion legislation pursuant to Arti- political parties and with the rap- code provisions. bothered to gain information cle 13 of the EC Treaty and the porteur, Baroness Emma Nichol- about this matter. Finally, they Charter of Fundamental Rights. son, to highlight the issues and promised to propose adequate maintain pressure for change Bulgaria changes to the penal code. On 31 A group of MEPs – Lousewies van both at EP and Romanian nation- Similar things happened in Bul- October, all national newspapers der Laan, Baroness Emma Nichol- al level working alongside and in garia. Thanks to Michael Cash- covered the unprecedented dis- son (ELDR/UK), Astrid Thors complete co-operation with man sexual orientation discrimi- cussion on gay and lesbian (ELDR/FIN), Joke Swiebel and ACCEPT.We are a long way from nation was put on the agenda of a human rights between the EP del- Patsy Sörensen (Green/B) – react- achieving our overall goals but meeting between a delegation of egation and the government. ed immediately to this unfortu- both the Commission and the MEPs and government officials in nate move of the Chamber. In a Romanian political parties are in Sofia on 29-30 October 2001. letter to members of the Roman- no doubt that the issue of dis- Romania After the meeting he stated that ian parliament they expressed crimination has to be resolved “the hearing in June has had a While the process, in both cham- their serious concerns and before accession. A key to this real impact, but more specifically, bers of the parliament, of con- explained that the repeal of Arti- understanding has been the con- amendments tabled to candidate firming the repeal of Article 200, cle 200 is just one step – but: “Gay nection of discrimination faced country reports, endorsed by the decreed by the government people also need protection from by the LBGT communities and EP, send a real message that the through Emergency Ordinance discrimination.” The letter other discriminated groups.” issue is of great importance. We 89/2001 on 21 June,2 has pro- emphasised: “If this matter is not have recently made a real impact gressed since, a backlash had to be resolved, it will remain a serious METTE VADSTRUP/KK in Romania and now in Bulgaria reported in another area. On 31 1 1 EU-Bulgaria Joint Parliamentary Committee 13th Meeting, 29-30 October 2001, Sofia. Declaration – against fierce opposition. How- August 2000, the Romanian gov- and Recommendations, paragraph 29 called on the Bulgarian government to submit appropriate leg- ever I am increasingly concerned ernment had introduced compre- islative amendments, namely on the basis of the EU Race Equality Directive; called upon the Bulgari- that Commission representatives hensive anti-discrimination pro- an government to eliminate provisions in the penal code that discriminate against homosexual men and lesbian women, notably Article 157. 10 in candidate countries are sending visions, including sexual orienta- 2 See IE Newsletter # 2, p. 4. news europe letter ilga

EU action programme to combat discrimination Krickler also pleaded for a “holis- tic” approach: “We should not only tackle attitudes, exclusion, discrimination in certain areas Phase 1 for the 71 where the Union has compe- tence, employment, access to and supply of goods and services. We pre-selected projects also have to labour the entire field of discrimination, including fundamental and human rights The European Commission has ect partners and the European forms of discrimination specifi- issues, discrimination in criminal more or less completed the first networks fighting discrimination cally relating to one ground and law that still exists against gay year’s work on the Community on the grounds listed in Article not to others remain. men and lesbians even in the action programme to combat 13 EC Treaty. The overall back- member states. We must address discrimination. In this year the ground of the action pro- Kurt Krickler intervened on the issue of recognising same-sex Commission launched several gramme, the views of key actors, behalf of ILGA-Europe and also partners and their children projects and made calls for ten- such as employers and trade stressed the support for a hori- because much of the discrimina- ders on other projects. The unions, the manifold implica- zontal approach referring to tion gays and lesbians suffer transnational exchange of best tions and potential impact of the multiple discrimination, the from, besides maybe employ- practice projects has been one of programme were addressed in opportunity to reach out to spe- ment discrimination, originates the larger initiatives of the Com- two panel discussions. In a series cific communities that otherwise in the non-recognition of their mission (see IE Newsletters # 1 of workshops dealing with topics would not be addressed, and the families. A holistic approach and # 2). Transnational exchange such a building successful part- mainstreaming of sexual orienta- must also include gender identity projects are open for participa- nerships, future priorities for the tion discrimination (SOD). He discrimination which is different tion for a broad variety of actors evaluation and analysis of data mentioned that ILGA-Europe from sexual orientation discrimi- such as NGOs, local authorities, on discrimination, and the role had “tested” this approach in the nation and therefore must be universities and other institu- of equality bodies, the around Stepping Stones and Roadblocks specifically addressed.” tions.1 The outcome of these projects will have an impact on the activities during the last three Projects must cover at least two grounds of discrimi- Promoting the horizontal years of the programme that will nation and have partners from three member states. approach run until 2006. 200 participants could continue project (see IE Newsletter # 1, p. Much of the conference was Phase 1 for the 71 pre-selected the debate and the information 7). Considering that homosexu- devoted to promoting the spirit projects began on 1 October exchange. ality is still a taboo in many and the idea of the horizontal 2001 and will last for six months. places and that politicians, agen- approach. The transnational This first phase is also referred to The first round of panel speakers cies, public authorities etc. often exchange projects are in essence as the preparatory phase in included Employment and Social are reluctant or hesitant to promoting the horizontal which the pre-selected project Affairs Commissioner Anna Dia- address SOD, being associated approach in most aspects. A proj- partners will have to find other mantopoulou, Laurette Onkelinx, with other grounds, or “piggy ect must cover at least two suitable partners and develop a the Belgian Minister for Employ- backing”,could open up new grounds of discrimination and two-year work programme. The ment and Equal Opportunities, opportunities to get SOD on a have partners from three differ- Commission will then make a currently presiding the EU broader agenda. That may be also ent member states. In the process definite selection for Phase 2, Council of employment minis- true for the general acceptance of of building up a partnership and based on the quality of the ters, and Graham Watson, chair any project results, be it recom- developing a work programme it finalised work programme and of the European Parliament mendations, studies, etc. And as is also important to work out- the added value each project may Committee on Citizens’ Rights the gay and lesbian community come-oriented. In the workshop contribute to the action pro- and Freedoms. All three speakers in the European Union may not on partnership building, the dis- gramme. The number of Phase 2 referred to the importance of carry out many huge projects cussion focused very much on projects will be reduced to combating discrimination espe- due to its limited resources, the how the partners could make around 25, which will then have cially in the context of 11 Sep- horizontal approach could still sure that a larger audience and two years to pursue the objectives tember and the need to fight dis- allow fair participation in the not just the participating part- set out in their work pro- crimination on a broad scale. programme. He warned, howev- ners could benefit from the proj- grammes. er, that the horizontal approach ects. The workshop presentation The second panel with represen- must not lead to a tokenistic or was done by Yvonne Bemelmans tatives of European networks superficial treatment of SOD. who had evaluated the transna- Conference on the action fighting discrimination on the Partners and organisations repre- tional projects funded by the programme grounds of race, disability, age senting LGBT people must be Commission under the prepara- and sexual orientation discussed involved on equal footing. tory measures programme in On 18-19 October, the Commis- the so-called horizontal approach sion organised a conference in to combating discrimination. 1 The action programme to combat discrimination is, at the moment, only open for participation of Brussels to promote the action They highlighted the benefits of actors from EU member states. The Commission is currently in the process of drawing up bilateral programme widely and to bring this approach but at the same framework agreements with the accession countries. Once they will be finalised and signed, there will be possibilities for actors from those countries to participate in future transnational projects, which together all the pre-selected proj- time emphasised that certain are expected to be launched in 2003. 11 europe news ilga letter

1999/2000, including the above- mentioned Stepping Stones and Project presentations Roadblocks project. STEPS – structures TRIANGLE Bearing in mind that the Com- mission considers capacity build- towards emancipation, is a project for initiatives working in an educational ing to be essential in promoting participation and solidarity context to combat discrimination against different effective policies and legislation minorities. The aim is to start transnational to combat discrimination, it is In Europe, statutory services for people with learning exchange of educational programmes to be used in important to think ahead and disabilities are on a rather high level. But their schools or adult education. These programmes shall plan how the project results empowerment and self-advocacy are not. Most serv- be improved by transferring and exchanging expert- could later be used by local, ice providers are not aware of the relevant UN Reso- ise. The City of Vienna will be joining TRIANGLE as regional or national authorities, lution, and no strong anti-discrimination legislation a second (junior) partner. We are looking for groups schools, trade unions, etc. is in place. Appropriate instruments of self-advocacy (NGOs) or institutions in Southern Europe, Scandi- are not implemented in service providing organisa- navia or the UK active in fighting discrimination tions. In our project we want to develop a structure against gays and lesbians or ethnic minorities. How to get involved at this stage for social service provision guaranteeing non-dis- crimination and full participation and protecting the Contact: Stefan Timmermanns, Johannesstraße 46, D- The Commission has published a individual rights of people with learning disabilities. 53225 Bonn; Tel: +49-228-422 94 32; [email protected]. list with all the names and con- Within the cities of Canterbury/London, Barcelona, tact details of the lead partners of Rotterdam, Uppsala and Hamburg we want to get all 71 pre-selected projects. Some into an intensive discussion based on a municipal tri- of the partners have also provid- alogue in every city, in which the administration, uni- ACCEPT II ed a short description of the versities and service providers will be involved. project and specified what type is a project to be developed in the continuity of a of expertise they are looking for Contact: Anne Ernst, University of Applied Science previous European project called ACCEPT 2000- in order to finalise their work for Social Work, Hamburg; [email protected]. 2001, which aimed at getting a better knowledge and programme. understanding of discrimination in rural areas and fighting this phenomenon by developing different If your organisation is interested Avoiding discrimination in kinds of actions. ACCEPT II will continue targeting in getting involved in a project, statutory service provision rural mentalities to open them towards the accept- you should first visit the relevant through an intercultural ance of differences. We are looking for a transna- Commission web site at: tional partner preferably in Eastern Germany. This http://europa.eu.int/comm/ approach new partner should be an NGO or statutory agency employment_social/fundamri/ working in rural areas, not specifically or exclusively prog/prov_list.pdf We are looking for partners among public or private in the field of discrimination but with experience in to get an overview of what proj- social service providers addressing intercultural working with this topic or interested in it. ect would fit the interest and aspects and features in their service delivery. We expertise of your association. would prefer to work with NGOs active in combat- Contact: Jean-Marc Dalmasso, 11 avenue Alexandre Then you should contact the lead ing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orienta- Barety, F-06206 Puget-Théniers; Tel: +33-4-93 05 19 project partner. The Commission tion or disability. We are also looking for organisa- 31; [email protected]. is encouraging participation of tions co-operating with social services. smaller associations, realising that every actor can play an Contact: Heike María Martínez Figueirido, Paritäti- Combating multiple discrimi- important role in designing and scher Wohlfahrtsverband – Gesamtverband e. V., nation of lesbian migrants creating a partnership. Zentrale Koordinierungsstelle für Ausländerarbeit, Baumschulallee 2a, D-53115 Bonn; Tel: +49-228-60 The Lesbenberatung (Lesbian Counselling Service) in Among the 71 projects 25 are 40 20; [email protected]. Berlin is seeking partner organisations for this project. targeting sexual orientation dis- We intend to investigate the various forms and conse- crimination. ILGA-Europe quences of discrimination and to develop and imple- offered them to introduce their Police and ment concrete concepts for combating discrimination project in our newsletter. Nine non-discrimination against lesbian migrants both in migrant communi- projects managed to get back to ties, the lesbian community and the political sphere. us before our deadline. In the This project involves among others the public prose- These will include culturally specific public awareness following columns you will find cution office of Uppsala county, the Swedish associa- campaigns, lobbying and educational work. We will short descriptions of these proj- tion of gay and lesbian police officers, the national strengthen the position of lesbian migrants by making ects. Upon request the ILGA- gay and lesbian association RFSL, the Uppsala county positive role models and images visible and by Europe office can also provide Council of Immigrants for Police Matters, in which enabling networking and exchanging experiences and documents from the workshops 25 migrants organisations are represented. The proj- best practices among lesbian migrants. of the conference and more ect is looking for partners in Greece and Denmark. information on the action pro- Contact: LesMigraS, Lesbenberatung Berlin e. V., gramme in general. Contact: Birgitta Engberg, Uppsala Police Authority, Kulmerstraße 20a, D-10783 Berlin, Tel. +49-30-219 12 MV Tel: +46-18 16 87 98; [email protected]. 150 90 or 217 27 53; [email protected]. news europe letter ilga

EQUAL first – Contact: Heiko Kleyböcker, Jugendnetzwerk Katzbachstraße 5, D-10965 Berlin; that’s right Lambda; Tel: +49-30-28 59 89 88; [email protected]. [email protected]. This project will develop strategies to combat discrimination against LGBT youth in schools European Managing and other educational institutions. We want to Queer family project – Diversity Gold achieve three main objectives: rainbow families Standards ◗ Establishing anti-discrimination teams of young lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgen- The project intends to establish a European ders who would offer to visit schools and uni- network with the aim of promoting the right The project seeks to develop and implement a versities and to talk with the students about of queer people to parenthood, the recogni- European Managing Diversity Course for stu- LGBT issues. The experiences with sexual tion of their families, and decent opportuni- dents of human resources management on education by peers of some partner organisa- ties in their old age. We intend to work on a diversity and its implications for business and tions can be transferred to the other partners; report comparing the law and the state of dis- society. We are looking for experts and/or ◗ Carring out comparative research on the liv- crimination against “rainbow families” in the partners in the field of managing diversity ing conditions of LGBT youth in the Euro- EU member states. Furthermore we will work who can contribute to curriculum develop- pean Union; on recommendations to improve the situation ment. Universities will be our first target as ◗ Writing a charter of the rights of LGBT of rainbow families and define concrete solu- they will be able to develop and validate pro- youth to emphasise what Article 13 EC Treaty tions. We are looking for partners, both grammes of study for students in their own means from our point of view. among NGOs and public authorities, working member states and possibly collaborate in stu- We are looking for LGBT youth organisations on sexual orientation discrimination with a dent exchange across member states. in Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, special focus on family and age issues. Greece and Austria. Contact: Diane Rushton, Sheffield Hallam Contact: Corinne Klatt, Sozialverein des Les- University, Pond Street, Sheffield S1 1WB; ben- und Schwulenverbands in Deutschland, [email protected].

Council of Europe Committee of Ministers posal for a Recommendation by the Parliamentary Assembly after attending the ILGA-Europe con- Historic statement ference in Linz in 1998; María del Carmen Calleja (Spain), who took over from Irmtraut as rapporteur On 21 September 2001 the Com- ommendations to member states, governments or parliaments to for the Assembly in 1999, and mittee of Ministers of the Council including the repeal of all dis- remain passive. On the contrary, Csaba Tabajdi (Hungary), who of Europe issued a statement criminatory laws, an equal age of this fact only underlines the need took over as rapporteur in 2000. regretting that discrimination and consent, anti-discrimination legis- to promote greater tolerance in violence against homosexuals still lation, and registered partnership matters of sexual orientation”. The text of Recommendation occur in Europe, and acknowledg- laws. 1474 (2000) on the “situation of ing that progress in ending dis- Given the number of countries lesbians and gays in Council of crimination is still needed in In their reply the Committee of involved, and the fact that they Europe member states”,adopted member states’ domestic law and Ministers advised their agreement are at widely differing stages in by the Parliamentary Assembly on practice (Doc. 9217). to several of these recommenda- their acceptance of LGBT rights, 26 September 2000, can be found tions, but did not state which. this is a strong statement. Indeed, at http://stars.coe.fr/ta/ta00/ The Committee of Ministers is This lack of clarity almost cer- never before have so many gov- EREC1474.HTM. the executive arm of the Council tainly reflects disagreements ernments joined in attacking The Reply from the Committee of of Europe. Its members consist of between member states on certain homophobia. For the 11 coun- Ministers can be found at http:// the Foreign Ministers of 43 Euro- of the recommendations, particu- tries, which still have discrimina- cm.coe.int/dec/2001/765/43.htm. pean countries (or their deputies) larly those relating to the age of tory laws, agreeing to this state- with a combined population of consent and registered partner- ment amounts to an act of self- Finally, on ILGA-Europe’s web more than 800 million. This was ship. However, the Committee criticism before the international site is available: The Equal Dignity the first statement in support of chose to emphasise the need for community. and Intrinsic Equality of all lesbian, gay and bisexual rights in measures in the areas of educa- Human Beings – A report submit- its fifty-year history. tion and professional training “to The statement by the Committee ted by ILGA-Europe to the Com- combat homophobic attitudes in of Ministers brings to a successful mittee of Ministers of the Council The statement came in response certain specific circles”. conclusion more than two years of Europe in support of the Recom- to a Recommendation on the sit- of close co-operation between mendations of the Parliamentary uation of lesbians and gays in The statement concluded that ILGA-Europe and three Socialist Assembly on the Situation of Les- Europe by the Council’s Parlia- “Homosexuality can still give rise members of the Parliamentary bians and Gays in the Member mentary Assembly. This had to powerful cultural reactions in Assembly of the Council of States of the Council of Europe. called upon the Committee of some societies or sectors thereof, Europe: Irmtraut Karlsson (Aus- Ministers to make 11 specific rec- but this is not a valid reason for tria), who had initiated the pro- NW 13 europe news ilga letter

Since March 1998, ILGA-Europe cific issues. After the establishment has been a member of the Platform of the ILGA-Europe office in Brus- of European Social NGOs. Through sels, co-operation with the Platform this network, we participate in and its members has increased. In many relevant joint activities at EU this new section we plan to present level, and with various Platform various partners and some of the members we work together on spe- projects we are involved in.

NGO co-operation at EU level The Social Platform

The Platform of European Social member organisations, associa- channelling concerns on issues of March 1998. This was at the NGOs is an association of today tions and other voluntary bodies common interests, by developing beginning of our “serious” and 37 federations and networks at local, regional, national and common positions and promot- “focused” lobbying in Brussels working at the European level to European level and through ing these to the European institu- and Strasbourg, and our Plat- build an inclusive society and to them the Social Platform has a tions and other external bodies form membership has turned out promote a social Europe. Mem- presence in all European Union through, for example, position to be of paramount value and ber organisations include those countries. papers, press/information releas- significance for our activities at campaigning for people with dis- es, its newsletter and meetings EU level. It has really made a dif- abilities, women, older people, Saskia Stegeman, Press/Informa- with institution representatives, ference. It can be said without people who are unemployed, tion Officer of the Social Plat- conferences and seminars.” exaggeration that we would not migrants, people affected by form, explains that “the Platform have had so many achievements poverty and homelessness, chil- promotes the views and policies In the past year the Platform’s and so much success without dren and families, as well those of social NGOs by acting as a main areas of activities have cen- being affiliated to the Platform. It working on issues such as social facilitator and representative tred around the work of three facilitated our access especially to justice, life-long learning, public channel of communication working groups dealing with: the European Commission. As a health and anti-racism. Together between its members and the member of the Platform we were they embody about 1,700 direct European Union. It does this by ◗ social policy (including anti- automatically invited to many discrimination, sustainable devel- relevant events, such as confer- Forthcoming Social Platform events: opment and social service provi- ences or the bi-annual meetings sion) with the relevant Commission Citizens’ Assembly 2004 series of national conferences ◗ civil dialogue, NGO funding services – and most important, at This project will consist of a in the coming six months. The and the EU Charter of Funda- their or the Commission’s series of events that will be held objective of these conferences mental Rights, and expenses. This was not at all a during each EU Presidency at is to promote the Platform’s ◗ Enlargement. negligible factor since ILGA- least until the adoption of the aims and objectives at national Europe had very limited financial next Treaty revision in 2004. level, to allow national and EU “In all these fields we have seen resources before we received or The next Citizens’ Assembly, co- level NGOs to exchange ideas, our input being taken into own core funding from the Com- organised with the Brussels- and to begin laying contacts in account in the development of mission. On these occasions we based Permanent Forum of Civil preparation of future EU presi- European Union policies”,stress- had and continue to have the Society and in co-operation with dencies. They are in essence a es Simon Wilson, the newly opportunity to address our con- other NGO networks and trade way of bringing together the appointed Social Platform direc- cerns and demands and to do unions, will be held from 13-15 Platform’s extended family. The tor: “For example, last year the this with the backing of a broad December 2001 in conjunction first national conference will be Social Platform and its members, coalition. with the European Union Summit held in Madrid on 3 December including ILGA-Europe, played a at Laeken. The event has 2001. During the one-day event hugely influential role in draft- ILGA-Europe is, however not received the support of the Bel- speakers from European NGOs, ing, strengthening and broaden- only for that reason, very dedi- gian Presidency, the President the civil society in Spain and ing the scope of the European cated and committed to working of the European Commission, from the Spanish government Union’s anti-discrimination together within the Platform on Romano Prodi, and the President will address issues such as the action programme and the two topics and issues of common of the European Parliament, role NGOs play in EU gover- directives on the issue. We are concern. We are convinced that Nicole Fontaine. It will be one of nance and the priorities for the currently pressing for further we all can achieve more when we the Platform’s biggest events to Spanish Presidency that will European action against discrim- co-operate and pursue our aims date. For more information see start on 1 January 2002. ination.” jointly. Obvious examples for the special web site at: that have been the long-term www.citizensassembly2004.org. Similar conferences will be lobbying for Article 13 EC Treaty held in Denmark and Greece ILGA-Europe’s involvement in the and the two subsequent anti-dis- early next year – for more infor- Social Platform crimination directives adopted in National Conferences mation, please contact the 2000, or the EU Charter of Fun- The Platform will be holding a ILGA-Europe office. ILGA-Europe became the 24th damental Rights. 14 member of the Platform in news europe letter ilga

ILGA-Europe is now active in bring together NGOs from acces- two Platform working groups, sion countries and the EU mem- the one on Social Policy, and ber states to learn from each notably in its sub-group on anti- other’s experiences in promoting discrimination. The group is cur- civil dialogue. rently drafting a common Plat- The Social Platform’s main objective is form statement on anti-discrimi- to build a social Europe for all by strengthening ILGA-Europe is also participating nation. It intends to highlight the civil dialogue between social NGOs and the in the Platform/ETUC campaign results already achieved on the European institutions and advocating for social to strengthen the EU Charter of basis of Article 13, but also to inclusion, the fight for social justice, and against Fundamental Rights and to make emphasise those areas that still it legally binding. During the need to be addressed. It will be all forms of discrimination. past eight months meetings to suggesting the mainstreaming of co-ordinate Platform members’ anti-discrimination in all EU mon statement on Enlargement details of its members in these views on the Charter have taken policies, further EU legislation to (the full text is available at countries and encouraged them place, and ILGA-Europe con- protect people from discrimina- www.socialplatform.org). It also to participate in the question- tributed to these discussions. It is tion in areas outside the work- commissioned a study to assess naire survey. The study is at its planned to publish a booklet place, and the strengthening of the role, strength and nature of final stage and will be launched with suggested amendments to both Article 13 and the EU Char- the civil dialogue in the accession at the Enlargement workshop at the Charter in order to impact ter of Fundamental Rights. countries, both between social the Laeken Citizens’ Assembly in on the debate on the revision of NGOs and public bodies, among December 2001. The planned the Charter, which has already The second one is the Enlarge- the NGOs themselves and with Enlargement seminar, announced begun under the Belgian EU ment working group established organisations at EU level. ILGA- for November in our August Presidency. in February 2001. One of its first Europe has, like other Platform Newsletter,had to be postponed activities was to draw up a com- members, provided contact until spring 2002. It will seek to MV

recent We strongly demand an explicit mitted by Austrian citizens pros- exception in the Framework ecuted under Art. 209. On 12 activities Decision for these cases. The October Amnesty International exception clause provided in its had denounced the trial of seven Article 27, which would allow men charged under Article 347 European arrest express our concerns with regard each member state to draw up a that was due to start in Athens warrant to this aspect of the proposal. We list of forms of conduct for on that day.2 argue that recent judgements of which it declares in advance it the European Court of Human will refuse to execute European ILGA-Europe sent similar letters Only a couple of days after the Rights and the former European arrest warrants, is not appropri- to the Belgian EU Presidency and terrorist attacks of 11 September, Human Rights Commission ate here. Unlike cases such as members of the EP Committee the Commission published a (cases Dudgeon v. UK, Norris v. those mentioned in the explana- on Citizens’ Rights and Free- proposal for a European arrest Ireland, Modinos v. Cyprus, tory memorandum (abortion, doms. warrant1 which provides for the Sutherland v. UK, A.D.T. v. UK) drug use, euthanasia), the dis- recognition of the entire criminal suggest that provisions distin- criminatory treatment of homo- law of a member state by all guishing between heterosexual sexuals is a human rights viola- other member states and the and homosexual relations violate tion. It would indeed be peculiar Combating agreement to assist in enforcing fundamental human rights. to request from member states to sexual exploita- it, including legislation discrimi- However, some member states formally opt out from assisting tion of children nating against homosexuals that have failed to reform their penal another member state in com- still exist in some member states. codes accordingly: Austria (Art. mitting human rights violations. The European arrest warrant is 209 PC), Greece (Art. 347 PC) Other serious concerns of ILGA- expected to be adopted by the and Portugal (Art. 175 PC) still Amnesty International has already Europe regarding recently pro- Council in December 2001. have discriminatory age of con- taken up Austrian and Greek posed EU legislation were dis- sent provisions on their law cases, and in February 2001, for pelled by the cabinet of Commis- In mid-October, ILGA-Europe books. Greece, moreover, crimi- example, adopted as prisoner of sioner Vitorino in October. In wrote to the responsible Com- nalises male-to-male prostitution conscience a man prosecuted May 2001, the Commission had missioner for Justice and Home as the only form of illegal prosti- under Austria’s Art. 209. Also proposed a Council Framework Affairs, António Vitorino, to tution. that month, the Swedish minister Decision on combating the sexu- for asylum declared in her reply al exploitation of children and 1 Commission proposal for a Council Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant and the to a parliamentary question that child pornography.3 While ILGA- surrender procedures between the Member States, COM(2001) 522 final. 2 News Release EUR/25/007/2001 issued by the International Secretariat of AI. Sweden would accept and exam- Europe absolutely supports the 3 COM (2000) 854 final. ine applications for asylum sub- objective of the proposal, we 15 europe news ilga letter

continued from page 15

were concerned about some spe- cific wording. It would have for- news bidden the “inducement” of sex- ual activity with any person under the age of 18. “Induce- clips ment” was not defined or explained anywhere in the pro- posal. In some language versions, it was even translated as “persua- sion”,while, funny enough, it was Increasing pressure on Egypt MEPs have also brought up the case in the context of omitted in the French and Span- the Euro-Mediterranean agreement recently signed ish texts. The proposal ignored In the August Newsletter we have reported about between the EU and Egypt. This agreement is cur- the fact that in many member ILGA-Europe’s actions regarding the persecution of rently being debated in the European Parliament states the age of consent for sex- 52 allegedly gay men in Egypt who are currently on which has to approve it, as have to all national par- ual activity is considerably below trial charged for “obscene behaviour” and “express- liaments. Members of four different political groups 18 and failed to distinguish clear- ing contempt for religion”.The verdicts are expected in the European Parliament tabled amendments to ly between legitimate persuasion to be handed down on 14 November when this the Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE/E) report and res- and illegitimate coercion. More- Newsletter will already be in print. olution dealing with this agreement. Moreover, Ital- over, the proposal did not ian MEPs Marco Cappato and Maurizio Turco (Lista exclude the criminalisation of As a follow up, we can inform that we received a Bonino) are trying to table an Urgent Resolution in such behaviour between persons reply to one of our letters from the cabinet of Com- the EP on this matter. Cappato, supported by MEPs under 18. Apparently, it would missioner Chris Patten who is responsible for Exter- Michael Cashman and Joke Swiebel, also launched a have made it a criminal offence nal Relations, including the Mediterranean Area campaign asking MEPs to sign a letter to the Presi- for a 16 year old to “induce” a 17 Development Programme. In his letter dated 21 dent of Egypt. year old into sexual relations. August, the deputy head of cabinet, Christian Leffler, Such legislative instruments points out that the “Egyptian side is already aware MEPs Lousewies van der Laan and would present real dangers of of my own personal concern and the matter was first (both ELDR/NL) submitted a written question future discriminatory application raised at the appropriate level when the 52 men were (E-2613/01) on 17 September to the Commission by Police and judicial authorities still detained without charge”.The letter also shows asking among other things whether the trial had in particular against homosexual that the Commissioner and his cabinet are very well been discussed when negotiating the agreement and activity. informed about the situation in Egypt due to inter- what would be the consequences if a member state national human rights organisations and MEPs. chooses not to ratify the agreement. Dutch MP Boris Therefore, ILGA-Europe had pre- pared a note for the meeting with the cabinet of Commissioner Vitorino on 16 July (see IE Newsletter # 2, p. 6). We argued for the deletion of the sub-para- graph on “inducement” and pro- posed a couple of other amend- ments. We were glad to hear in October that “inducement” had been taken out from all language versions during the negotiations of the proposal in the Council.

KK

16 The persecution of 52 allegedly gay men led to protests worldwide, like this demonstration in Paris news europe letter ilga

Dittrich posed similar questions to the Dutch that provides also for non-discrimination on tion included an amendment by the Belgian government in the parliament in The Hague. the grounds of sexual orientation, as do Article VLD-party of prime-minister Guy Verhof- 13 EC Treaty and Article 21 of the EU Charter stadt, explicitly stating that the equal protec- MEPs Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR/UK) of Fundamental Rights. tion of gay and lesbian couples should include and Michael Cashman have also written to parental rights. British Foreign Office minister Ben Bradshaw MP demanding appropriate action be taken to The resolution was initiated by MEP force the Egyptian authorities to release the 52 Finland adopts Registered Lousewies van der Laan: “When you believe, men. Danish MEPs also raised the issue with Partnership Act as liberals do, that stable family relations are the Danish government. Ludford also tabled a beneficial for both individuals and for society series of parliamentary questions in the House as a whole, it is not defendable that people are of Lords to ensure that the British govern- On 28 September 2001 the Finnish parliament excluded from marriage solely based on their ment is also continuing to monitor the men’s adopted the Registered Partnership Act with sexual orientation. The choice of a partner treatment in prison. 99:84 votes. It is similar to the legislation for should be a personal decision.” same-sex couples in the other four Nordic countries. It is not completely equivalent to The ELDR party includes liberal parties from marriage as it, for example, does not cover all over Europe, including many Southern and Will EU recognise Dutch joint adoption. The law is expected to come Eastern European countries. Both D66 and same-sex marriages? into force in March 2002 – the exact date has VLD have played a pivotal role in the opening not yet been confirmed. up of legal marriage for gay couples in the Netherlands and soon in Belgium. After the disappointing May 2001 judgement of the European Court of Justice in the case D. & Sweden v. Council (see IE Newsletter # 2, pp. 13-14), substantiating it inter alia by the arguments that registered partnership is not equivalent to marriage, and that “according to the definition generally accepted by the Mem- In September the ber States, the term ‘marriage’ means a union Parliament in between two persons of the opposite sex”,it Helsinki finally followed the has become unclear whether same-sex spouses example of the married under Dutch law would be recog- other Nordic nised as a married couple in the EU. In order countries and to get clarification, Dutch MEP Lousewies van adopted a same- der Laan had submitted a written question to sex partnership the Commission on 7 June asking whether the law for Finland Commission could confirm that all its mar- ried employees will be treated equally regard- less of their sexual orientation or the gender European Liberals unanimous Compensation for Nazi victims of their spouse. A similar letter was sent to the on same-sex marriage staff administration of the European Parlia- ment. On 29 August, the personnel depart- In the last issue of our Newsletter we reported ment replied to van der Laan, informing her On 28 September 2001 European Liberal par- about existing funds compensating also gay that the heads of administration had dis- ties have spoken out in favour of the opening and lesbian Nazi victims (pp. 8-9). Both the cussed the issue in July but “did not want to of marriage to gay and lesbian couples. Where German Forced Labour Compensation Pro- take a position without a legal opinion”.The legal marriage will not be available in the gramme and the Swiss Banks Holocaust Vic- Legal Service therefore was requested to deal short run, the ELDR calls for registered part- tims Assets Programme have extended the with the matter, and in particular to respond nerships that offer protection of same-sex deadline for submitting applications from to the question: “Is it possible for the Euro- couples at a similar level as married couples. individuals until 31 December 2001. Victims pean Parliament to recognise the Dutch mar- At the yearly conference of the ELDR, the therefore are encouraged to apply for com- riage law between two persons of the same European political party composed of various pensation under these programmes to the sex, without discriminating against homosex- national liberal parties, a resolution tabled by International Organization for Migration ual couples of other nationalities?” the Dutch government party D66 calling for (IOM) which is administering claims based the opening of marriage to same-sex couples on persecution on the grounds of sexual ori- This is confusing, however, because in an was adopted unanimously. The D66 resolu- entation under both programmes. The internal note (ADMIN.B.2 (01)D/18009,AB/ address is: IOM, 17 route des Morillons, C.P. ndv) from the services of Commissioner Neil For a complete list of ELDR Member Par- 71, CH-1211 Geneva 19; telephone hotline Kinnock who is also responsible for personnel, ties, see: +41-22-717 92 04. dated 15 May 2001, it is clearly stated that it www.eldr.org/en/network/members.html Web sites: www.compensation-for-forced- would be appropriate for any marriage con- labour.org, www.swissbankclaims.org. For the text of the adopted resolution, tracted under Dutch law to be recognised for see: the purposes of the staff regulations. It is www.vanderlaan.net/full/en/bv.cfm/exclusion KK referred to Article 1 bis in these regulations 17 europe news ilga letter

Exciting developments in Moldova Twinning project launched

Olesea is 22 and a lesbian. Fighting hate speech Party on gay and lesbian rights as the willingness of authorities to Recently she became the head of expressed by the group’s leader on continue democratic reforms.” the lesbian committee within the Last summer, Moldovan member the occasion of the PACE debat- COC project co-ordinator Dennis Moldovan gay and lesbian organ- of Parliament Vlad Cubreacov ing two reports and recommen- van der Veur emphasised: “The isation GenderDoc-M. Despite stated in an interview in one of dations in its summer 2000 ses- Netherlands will not only give her young age, she knows how it the biggest newspapers: “To be a sion.1 Thus, Cubreacov received, financial support to the project feels to be raped, threatened and homosexual doesn’t only mean certainly to his big surprise, a fax but also both moral and political physically abused. The day Ole- you are no longer mother or from the president of the EPP in support.” sea’s mother learned that her father, it means you are no longer the PACE, René van der Linden. then 15 year old daughter was a a human being. Homosexuals are He wrote: “May I draw your The three-year project includes lesbian she called the police: “My slaves of their own infatuations, attention to the fact that your four sub-projects in the areas of daughter is a lesbian, do whatev- directed by instincts. Homosexu- opinion is clearly against the EPP organisational development, er you need to correct her.” Ole- ality doesn’t have an equivalent in programme in general and against awareness raising campaigns, legal sea spent 15 days at the police the animal world, and this is the the conviction of our EPP group assistance and safe environment, station, where she was constantly most clear proof that its origin is in the Parliamentary Assembly, in which will be carried out under beaten, and numerous attempts in the heads and souls of people, particular as it is in strong contra- the supervision of and in com- were made to rape her. Unfortu- fallen in the face of God and the diction as well to the conventions munication with COC that will nately, it was not her last contact society in general.” Mr Cubreacov of the Council of Europe. The also transfer its expertise. In sim- with the police. is vice-president of the Christian- respect for human dignity and ple words the project will provide Democrat People’s Party (CDPP), integrity, whatever the sexual gays and lesbians in Moldova with Sexual minorities in the Republic the third largest party in Moldo- preference or disposition of the the means needed to protect their of Moldova live in permanent va, and also a member of his people concerned might be, is the rights, fight discrimination and fear. Although Art. 106 (1) of the country’s delegation to the Parlia- base of our attitude and of our create a safe place where they are former Soviet penal code provid- mentary Assembly of the Council societal conviction. It must be understood and accepted and to ing for prison sentences between of Europe (PACE) where his party clear that you will have to change improve their position in society. 2 and 5 years for male homosex- is affiliated to the European Peo- opinions about this if ever your ual intercourse was repealed in ple’s Party Group. political position is supposed to In general, the media reacted pos- 1995, gays and lesbians hide their stay in line with our group and itively to the event, except from sexual identity even today to feel After denouncing Mr Cubreacov’s with our EPP party.” CDPP and religious newspapers. safe. Discrimination against sex- intolerant words, Center Gender- Some parliamentarians even ual minorities is certainly only Doc-M received many supportive phoned and expressed a “wish to one of many problems Moldovan reactions, including from mem- GenderDoc-M in new exciting co-operate”.Things start to society faces at the moment – bers both of the European Parlia- co-operation change slowly, but of course according to the Council of ment and the Council of Europe’s GenderDoc-M does not expect Europe, Moldova is the poorest Parliamentary Assembly as well as On 18 October 2001, the inaugu- changes to happen overnight. country in Europe. However, this from international human rights ration of the project “Moldovan can never justify continuous dis- organisations. MEP Lousewies Gay and Lesbian Empowerment” In the coming three years activists crimination against gays and les- van der Laan declared: “The state- took place. It is a twinning project expect GenderDoc-M to become a bians. ments of Mr Cubreacov about between two ILGA-Europe mem- professional gay and lesbian advo- homosexuals, reported in the Jur- bers, GenderDoc-M and the cacy organisation, to develop a Center GenderDoc-M was regis- nal Nat¸ional, will do great harm national Dutch lesbian and gay genuine gay and lesbian move- tered in 1998 and is the only to his country. It will make people advocacy organisation COC.It is ment – a well-organised and organisation fighting for LGBT in other European countries think the first initiative to protect the recognised force in Moldovan rights in Moldova. The Center’s that Moldova is underdeveloped, gay and lesbian rights at such a society. It is time for the country’s main projects include the period- because its politicians are allowed large scale in the post-Soviet terri- politicians to realise that sexual ical publication of the gay and to discriminate and insult people tory.The financial support is minorities cannot continue to be lesbian magazine Zerkalo (“Mir- just because they happen to be given by the Royal Dutch neglected and humiliated, and ror”), psychological assistance to homosexual. Politicians should Embassy for Ukraine and Moldo- that there is no way to the Euro- homosexuals in Moldova and not promote hatred and bigotry, va in Kiev via the Good Gover- pean Union with homophobic workshops on homosexuality. In but solve the real problems of nance and Human Rights Fund of policies. December 1999 and in February Moldova.” the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of MAXIM ANMEGHICHEAN 2000 two international seminars the Netherlands. on different aspects of homosex- Cubreacov’s statement is also uality were held. clearly in contradiction to the GenderDoc-M director Alexei Contact information: Center position of the European People’s Marcicov stated in his opening GenderDoc-M, C.P. 422, speech: “The project, as litmus MD-2004 Chis¸ina˘u; Phone: 1 These two reports and recommendations are the one mentioned in the article on p. 13 and the one paper, will reveal the level of tol- +3732-278792; +37391-22482; on the “Situation of gays and lesbians and their partners in respect to asylum and immigration in the 18 member states of the Council of Europe”,Recommendation 1470 (2000), adopted on 30 June 2000. erance of Moldovan society and [email protected] news europe letter ilga

International conference in Latvia Lesbian and gay activists from Eastern and Central Europe met

On 15-18 August 2001, Gay Sup- port Group (Latvia) hosted the international conference “Gay and Lesbian Rights in Eastern Europe” in Riga.

From 1987 to 1996, annual sub- regional conferences for Eastern and Southeastern Europe were organised by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), but then the idea was abandoned. The tradition was renewed in 2000, and a confer- ence for lesbian and gay activists from this region took place in Kiev,Ukraine.

This year, participants from Esto- Participants from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Sweden and Norway at nia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, the conference venue in central Riga Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Sweden, Norway and in mixed groups, stereotypes specific to their region. The con- During the final plenary session the US discussed topics such as about lesbians and gay men and ference was partly supported by the participants adopted an the legal and social situation for how to fight them, co-operation the European Youth Foundation. appeal addressed to the national lesbians and gay men in these between Eastern and Western parliaments of the Eastern Euro- countries, issues of HIV/AIDS/ European organisations. All par- The participants also had the pean countries, the European STDs, how issues of lesbian and ticipants agreed that it is very chance to enjoy the growing les- Parliament, the Council of gay rights are addressed by the useful to organise such confer- bian and gay scene in Riga and Europe, and embassies of West- international human rights law, ences since lesbian and gay take part in the spectacular cele- ern countries in Latvia (see how to facilitate lesbian and gay organisations in former commu- bration of the 800th anniversary below). discussion groups, lesbian and nist countries share a lot of simi- of the Latvian capital. gay internet, lesbian participation larities and challenges that are JURIS LUDVIGS LAVRIKOVS

The Riga Appeal tural Rights, the European ◗ adopt legislation specifi- rightful place in the com- Convention on Human cally to outlaw discrimina- munity of European nations We, the participants of the ies, administrative agencies Rights and Fundamental tion on grounds of sexual ruled by principles of law, International Conference in all Eastern European Freedoms, and European orientation in employment, respect and justice for all. “Gay and Lesbian Rights in states represented, includ- Union law. as required by the 2000 Eastern Europe”, from the ing those who are candi- EU Council Directive on Kremenchug Group of the countries of Estonia, dates for full membership We therefore urge that, in equal treatment; Amnesty International Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, in the European Union; order for the countries of ◗ grant legal recognition for Ukrainian Association, The Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, ◗ Such violations are even Eastern Europe to join the same-sex couples; Ukrainian Human Rights Yugoslavia, Sweden, gath- more evident in countries community of fully and criminalise hate crimes and Foundation, Campaign ered in Riga, Latvia, on 15- that are not in the process genuinely democratic other forms of violence Against Homophobia 18 August 2001, and of joining the European nations, it is imperative against lesbians and gay (Poland), Lambda Warsza- analysed the legal and Union, such as Belarus, that each such country: men such as the events of wa Association (Poland), social situation for lesbians Ukraine, and Yugoslavia; September 2000 in Minsk, Queer Studies Programme and gay men in our coun- Such discrimination is ◗ adopt anti-discrimination Belarus and June 2001 in (Yugoslavia), Group of Deaf tries and the region. We unacceptable and contra- legislation that specifically Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Gays and Lesbians “Blue arrived at the following dicts international human outlaws discrimination on Rose” (Belarus), Belarus conclusions: rights standards as defined grounds of sexual orienta- We strongly believe that Lambda League, Labrisz in the Universal Declaration tion; such measures are neces- Lesbian Association (Hun- ◗ Lesbians and gay men are of Human Rights, the Inter- ◗ provide equal age of con- sary in order to provide gary), Men’s Health Associ- subject to regular and sys- national Covenant on Civil sent for consensual sexual truly democratic develop- ation (Latvia), Lithuanian tematic violation of their and Political Rights, the activities for both hetero- ment and respect for Gay League, RFSL (Swe- basic human rights by leg- International Covenant on sexual and homosexual human rights, so that these den), ESPO Society (Esto- islation, governmental bod- Economic, Social and Cul- acts; countries can take their nia) 19 www.ilga-europe.org

ILGA-Europe web site home > about us relaunched about us

ILGA-Europe is the European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA).

Come and visit us at our all The European Region of ILGA-Europe enjoys consultative status with the Council of Europe. the International Lesbian ILGA-Europe is a member of the Platform of European Social NGOs and the Pink Triangle Coalition. new web site. It features a and Gay Association Address variety of up-to-date informa- site search: go avenue de Tervueren 94 tion, logically structured and about us B-1040 Brussels the board re-edited for the web. The activity report 2000-2001 Tel.: +32-2 732 54 88 organisational documents Fax.: +32-2 732 51 64 functional design will help E-mail: [email protected] position papers you find easily what you are campaigns/activities Bank Account publications Fortis Bank looking for. Vooruitgangstraat 333/9 With archive section, down- presentations/surveys B-1030 Brussels annual conference SWIFT code (BIC): GEBA BEBB load options (PDFs) and a archives international account number (IBAN): BE46 0013 5233 8836 account number (Belgium): 001-3523388-36 site-wide full text search links engine. The new web site will be operative by the end of November.

ILGA-Europe Activity Report 2000-2001 published

The 20 page report can be downloaded in PDF format at the ILGA-Europe web site (see above), or you can order a (free) printed copy from our office:

ILGA-Europe Avenue de Tervueren/ Tervurenlaan 94/1 B-1040 Brussels phone +32 2 732 54 88 fax +32 2 732 51 64 [email protected]