europe news

Vol. 1, issue 2, August 2001 ilga letter www.ilga-europe.org

Belgrade Gay Pride Activists under attack Photo: Associated Press First row: Claudia Roth; second row, left: Lousewies van der Laan, David Geer and Hein Verkerk; right: Mette Vadstrup, Michael Cashman and Joke Swiebel

LGBT “embassy” opened

On 27 June 2001, the new ILGA- many friends and supporters Verkerk und David Geer. And attend our opening party. Since Europe office in , rent- from the Platform of European Griffith Vaughan Williams, who her groundbreaking 1994 EP ed and in use already since Social NGOs and its member made the journey from London report “on equal rights for February, was finally opened organisations, but also from just for these two occasions. homosexuals and lesbians in officially. Around 80 people fol- Human Rights Watch. And of Other ILGA veterans such as the EC” she has become some- lowed the invitation, and at the course many lesbian and gay Hartmut Schönknecht and Ernst thing like an “icon” for the peak of the party, our 70 square activists showed up. We were Strohmeyer travelled extra from European LGBT movement. She metres at Tervurenlaan 94 got glad to welcome former ILGA and Austria to take gave a short speech emphasis- quite packed. Members of the secretary-general Inge Wallaert, part in these events. Hilde ing the great achievement that – Joke Tom Hoemig, administrator of Vossen, chair of the Dutch the opening of this “embassy of Swiebel, Lousewies van der the ILGA World office, Bernard Bisexual Network that had just LGBT people in Brussels” is Laan and Michael Cashman, Lonnoy from EGALITE, all the organised the first European after all the years of struggle who also made a short speech – representatives from the move- bisexuals conference in Rotter- and . and assistants of MEPs dropped ment in the accession countries dam in June 2001, made the by, so did officials from the who were in town for the Euro- trip from Holland to join our We would like to thank every- Commission, including Joline pean Parliament hearing on “EU party. body who attended and showed Wellinghoff-Salavert and Bren- Enlargement – A Gay Perspec- her or his support and also dan Sinnott from the Employ- tive” on 28 June, organised by The surprise guest was Claudia those who brought flowers and ment directorate-general, and the EP intergroup on gay and Roth, former MEP and now other gifts or sent greetings by Stephan Lehmann from DG lesbian rights (see p. 4), and chairperson of the German post, fax, e-mail or phone. Enlargement, representatives of ILGA co-founders and pioneers Green Party. She happened to 2 the NGO community including such as Peter Ashman, Hein be in Brussels and insisted to KK news europe letter ilga

Editorial Busy summer

This summer was not exactly a quiet and dull season for ILGA- Europe’s staff and executive board. After intensive weeks in June preparing, among other things, for the opening of our new office (see p. 2) and for the EP hearing on EU Enlargement (p. 4), July and August did not bring much relief with regard to our work- The European Region of the load. In July, on top of all the regular work, we held the first two- International Lesbian and Gay Association day meeting of the new EU national co-ordination network to dis- cuss how to focus advocacy efforts at the EU and national levels Avenue de Tervueren/ (p. 7). The seminar, of course, involved a lot of preparations and Tervurenlaan 94/1 reporting afterwards. B-1040 Brussels Bank account # 001-3523388-36 Phone: +32 2 732 54 88 Fortis Bank July and August also saw some urgent emergency activities in Fax: +32 2 732 51 64 Vooruitgangstraat 333/9, response to human rights violations in Serbia and Egypt (p. 11), [email protected] B-1030 Brussels and more meetings including the Platform of European Social www.ilga-europe.org SWIFT: GEBABEEB NGOs, the Commission, and the cabinet of Commissioner António Vitorino (p. 6), which was the most important one. Board members also did some travelling, but again not exactly holiday Table of contents journeys, including to Budapest, Marseilles and New York (p. 10 2 LGBT “embassy” opened and 8). Jackie Lewis, who also is one of the two representatives of 3 Editorial the European Region to the ILGA World board, and Adrian 4 Exciting developments Coman went to Oakland, California, to attend the ILGA World Conference which again involved much preparatory work for 6 ILGA-Europe meets with representative Jackie. of Commissioner Vitorino 7 ILGA-Europe establishes new co-ordination network Speaking of conferences: The preparations for our own European 8 Pink Triangle Coalition conference in next October (p. 20) kept our treasurer, 10 Recent activities Nigel Warner, busy – and so did all the financial and funding mat- Meeting with the Belgian EU Presidency ters, including our grant interim report to the Commission. ILGA- OSCE meeting Europe and the local organisers, COC , succeeded in Summer activities securing substantial funds for the scholarship programme of the SOLIDAR project Rotterdam conference. Therefore, we encourage activists from 11 Urgent actions: Serbia, Egypt and India ILGA members, especially in economically disadvantaged regions 12 EP: Human rights reports 2000 support LGBT equality of Europe, to apply for a scholarship. The chances to receive one 13 EJC: Not Equivalent to Marriage have never been so good as this year. However, please, act quickly 14 Commission has pre-selected 71 projects as the official deadline is 7 September. 15 News Clips European parents join fight for equality All the details about these and other activities can be read on the German Registered Partnership in force following pages. The successful focus and the promising develop- Slovene “No” to artificial insemination ments with regard to EU enlargement should not make us forget 16 : Still a long way to go that there is a Europe even beyond the accession countries. We, 17 Russia: Dictatorship of homophobes? therefore, include reports on Serbia and Russia in this issue. 19 ILGA-Europe at Europride THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

The ILGA-Europe Newsletter is the quarterly newsletter Design & Layout: Christian Högl of ILGA-Europe (www.creativbox.at) Volume 1, issue 2, August 2001 Printer: Sofadi, Brussels The European Union against discrimi- Editors: Kurt Krickler (KK), nation, and the Homosexuelle Selbsthilfe Mette Vadstrup (MV) Next issue: November 2001 association, Berlin. The information Deadline: 31 October 2001 contained in this publication does not Contributors: Nico J. Beger (NB), Anna necessarily reflect the position or opin- Daucˇíková, Tatjana Greif (TG), Dmitri © ILGA-Europe. Reproduction ion of the . The Lytchëv, Nigel Warner (NW), Robert permitted, provided that appropriate Commission is not liable for any use Wintemute. reference is made to the source. that may be made of this information. 3 europe news ilga letter

LGBT rights on the agenda in EU accession negotiations Exciting developments

Poland, Romania and .1

❚ A hearing in the European Par- liament – “EU Enlargement: A Gay Perspective” – organised by a group of MEPs led by Joke Swiebel (PSE/NL), Michael Cash- man (PSE/UK) and Patsy Sörensen (Greens/B). The hearing was preceded by a press conference in the European Parliament on 27 June at which ILGA-Europe board members Tatjana Greif and Nigel Warner presented the findings of the research.2

Patsy Sörensen (MEP/Greens, ), Joke Swiebel (MEP/PSE, Netherlands), Hein Verkerk (Intergroup), Nigel The hearing itself took place on Warner and Tajana Greif (both ILGA-Europe) at the press conference on 27 June 2001 28 June, and lasted all day. The June saw exciting developments, mission’s Enlargement Direc- ❚ The publication and distribu- morning session involved presen- with striking progress in the joint torate-General and the European tion to EU institutions and appli- tations on two accession coun- efforts of members of the Euro- Parliament were preparing their cant country governments of a tries, Romania and Slovenia, by pean Parliament, ILGA-Europe annual reports on the progress of report by ILGA-Europe sum- Adrian Coman (ACCEPT, and its member organisations to the applicant countries towards marising discrimination in the Bucharest) and Tatjana Greif get sexual orientation discrimi- meeting the accession criteria. accession countries, and of (SˇKUC-LL, ), with nation on the agenda in the EU Two important events were detailed research into discrimina- responses and comments by the accession negotiations. therefore timed for that month: tion in four countries, Hungary, European Parliament rapporteurs on accession for these countries, In our May Newsletter we Baroness Emma Nicholson (Lib- 26 November 2001, described the potential impor- Activities of the erals/UK), and Demetrio Volcic which will involve tance of the EU enlargement (PSE/I). There were also impor- Platform Enlargement NGO activists from process for fighting discrimina- tant speeches by Ms Anna Dia- both within the EU tion in the 13 applicant coun- Working Group mantopoulou, EU Commissioner and the accession tries. In essence, to qualify for on Equality, who explicitly ILGA-Europe is social NGOs and countries. It will pro- accession, these countries must thanked ILGA-Europe for all the actively participating public bodies, vide an opportunity meet certain basic human rights information collected, and Ms in the working group between the NGOs to build links criteria. But, to take advantage of Petra Erler, a member of the cab- (WG) on Enlargement themselves and with between the EU and this, the institutions of the Euro- inet of Enlargement Commis- of the Platform of organisations at EU social NGOs in the pean Union have to be persuaded sioner Günter Verheugen. European Social level. ILGA-Europe candidate countries. that sexual orientation discrimi- NGOs. The WG was has provided contact The Enlargement nation is a serious issue. The The afternoon session involved a set up in February details for its mem- study will be ready potential prizes are big – particu- “roundtable” discussion with 2001. It commis- bers in these coun- for publication by larly, forcing governments to LGBT representatives from all sioned, as one of its tries and encouraged then. repeal discriminatory – accession countries, including first activities, a them to participate something we know from other Cyprus and Malta, commenting qualitative study to in the questionnaire For more details on countries can take decades with- on the situation in their coun- assess the role, survey. the Enlargement out opportunities such as this. tries, and a scoreboard prepared strength and nature seminar and the by Hein Verkerk, EP press officer of the civil dialogue The WG is planning study, please contact June was a critical month for the for the Greens, in which the in the accession an Enlargement sem- the ILGA-Europe enlargement process: this was the record on LGBT human rights of countries, between inar in Brussels on office. MV time when the European Com- both the existing member states

1) The detailed research was carried out by ILGA-Europe 2) The text of the presentations is published at the ILGA- discriminatory laws, however, these new penal codes are not member organisations Háttér Society for Gays and Lesbians in Europe web-site. yet in force. On 21 June, the Romanian government issued an Hungary – Budapest, Lambda Warszawa – , ACCEPT 3) The scoreboard can be found at the web-site: ordinance abolishing the notorious Article 200 of the – Bucharest, SˇKUC-LL – Ljubljana, co-ordinated by ILGA- http://people.a2000.nl/hverkerk/Hearingintergroup/ Romanian penal code. This move, however, needs now to be Europe, funded by the Open Society Institute in Budapest. All 4) There have of course been debates in the European Parlia- confirmed by both chambers of the Romanian Parliament. these reports, and a further ILGA-Europe report published in ment on reports, most notably the Squarcialupi report in All these developments are indications of the real power of March, entitled “Equality for Lesbians and Gay Men: A Rele- 1984, and the Roth report in 1994. the accession process. vant Issue in the EU Accession Process” are available both in 5) The parliaments of Estonia and Lithuania have already 6) See also ILGA-Europe’s media release, issued on 26 July 4 print at the IE office or in electronic form at the IE web-site. voted on new criminal codes providing for the repeal of their 2001, at our web-site. news europe letter ilga and the accession countries was ing equal opportunities and and its member organisations Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithua- assessed. It was noteworthy that minorities”.She commented that can work together to produce nia, Malta, and Slovakia. This some member states (particularly Romania had been called on results immeasurably greater will enable us to continue to Austria and the UK) have a worse “time and again” by the Commis- than could be achieved working make an issue of sexual orienta- record than some of the accession sion to repeal its discriminatory in isolation. Indeed, the research tion discrimination in the EU

Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and MEP Joke Swiebel LGBT representatives from all accession countries were heard countries.3 See also a short report laws, and that Cyprus “still had into discrimination in Hungary, accession process. And who on the situation in Slovakia in work to do”.Four other countries Poland, Romania and Slovenia knows … maybe together, we will this Newsletter on p. 16. which still have discriminatory was received with enthusiasm by get rid of all discriminatory laws, laws (Bulgaria, Hungary, Estonia, representatives of member and persuade accession country So how far have these events suc- and Lithuania5) were “being organisations in other accession governments to take their first ceeded in putting LGBT rights scrutinised”. countries. There is to be a follow- steps in fighting for the rights of onto the accession negotiations up project, involving similar LGBT people. agenda? As far as we can tell, real In a subsequent letter to ILGA- research in possibly some seven progress has been made. Europe, Commissioner Ver- countries: Bulgaria, the Czech NIGEL WARNER The hearing itself was a huge heugen confirmed that the “prin- success. It was the first ever hear- ciple of elimination of discrimi- ing on LGBT rights in the Euro- nations due to sexual orienta- HS und HMS pean Parliament.4 It was well tion” was among “the principles – zwei Schwestern, ein Ziel – attended, with a mixture of that new Member States will be MEPs, Commission officials and expected to accept upon acces- representatives of the LGBT sion”,and gave his assurance that community, and it created con- “full attention will be brought to siderable publicity in the Parlia- the issues raised in the report ment. It was particularly exciting you have sent me”.6 to have so many representatives of LGBT organisations in the All this is a big advance – prior accession countries present to to this year, the Commission has

Some member states (e.g. Austria and the UK) have a worse record than some of the accession countries describe the effects of discrimi- made no commitments concern- nation on them and their com- ing sexual orientation discrimi- munities, and the failure of their nation in the Enlargement governments to take action. It process, and has only addressed it was also very encouraging that in the annual reports of two the EU Commissioner on Equali- countries, Romania and Cyprus. ty took part in person. There is much else that is posi- Just as important, the responses tive about our EU Enlargement by the Commission were also campaign. It is exciting to see Hannchen-Mehrzweck-Stiftung very positive: speaking for the how ILGA-Europe and pro- Homosexuelle Selbsthilfe e.V. Enlargement Commissioner, Ms LGBT MEPs can work together Erler stressed that there was “no very constructively. It is also flexibility in negotiations regard- exciting to see how ILGA-Europe 5 europe news ilga letter

Immigration and asylum ILGA-Europe meets with represen- tative of Commissioner Vitorino

In the 1997 Treaty of Mr Nunes de Almeida assured us the European Union embarked that the Commission’s draft does upon a plan to establish common include sexual orientation perse- rules covering asylum and immi- cution in the definition, and may gration by 2004. This harmonisa- also include gender identity. This tion of asylum and immigration is an excellent start, although a law provides a rare opportunity to Europe wide campaign will be push for the recognition of the necessary to ensure that the Com- António Vitorino, fundamental rights of LGBT peo- Commissioner for mission’s definition is retained, ple in these areas. Justice and Home and that the Directive itself is 4 Affairs, is responsi- approved by the member states. The Commission, which initiates ble for the whole most legislative proposals on range of asylum and ❚ Proposal for a European Parlia- behalf of the European Commu- immigration subject ment and Council Directive on the matter. nity, is in the process of issuing a right of citizens of the Union and series of draft Directives covering ILGA-Europe met their family members to move and the whole range of asylum and with his representa- reside freely within the territory immigration subject matter. tive Joaquim Pedro of the Member States: this crucial ILGA-Europe is monitoring these Nunes de Almeida. proposal,5 published by the Com- developments closely. As each mission in May 2001, covers the draft Directive is published, we partner living in a durable rela- likely that the whole issue of the whole question of the free move- prepare a position paper tionship with the applicant, if the recognition of unmarried couples ment of EU citizens within the analysing the proposal from the legislation of the Member State would be left to individual mem- Union. It therefore raises the perspective of LGBT people, and concerned treats the situation of ber states, and therefore would question of the “family reunion” making recommendations for unmarried couples as correspon- not be subject to harmonisation. of same-sex couples, where one amendments as appropriate. ding to that of married couples”. ILGA-Europe argued that at the moves to another member state There are now so many issues on ILGA-Europe had proposed that very least couples in registered and wishes to be accompanied by the table that we asked for a meet- her/his partner. The draft Direc- ing with a representative of Com- This harmonisation of asylum and immigration tive uses a formulation similar to missioner António Vitorino, who law provides a rare opportunity to push for the that of the draft Directive on fam- as Commissioner for Justice and recognition of the fundamental rights of LGBT people. ily reunion (described above). Home Affairs, is responsible for ILGA-Europe is currently working these areas. this be strengthened to allow any partnerships should be treated on on a position paper and recom- “spouse or unmarried partner liv- the same basis as married couples. mendations, but will certainly be The meeting took place on 16 July ing in a durable relationship with arguing for extensive rights of 2001, with Jackie Lewis, Kurt the applicant” to be joined by ❚ Approximation of rules on movement for same-sex couples. Krickler, Nigel Warner and Mette their partner, whatever the legisla- recognition and content of Mr Nunes de Almeida felt that Vadstrup representing ILGA- tion of the member state.2 Mr refugee status: a draft Directive there was more possibility here Europe, and Mr Joaquim Pedro Nunes de Almeida advised that, in on this area is being worked on by than in the case of family reunion Nunes de Almeida representing the current negotiations between the Commission, and is due to be for third country nationals, with Mr Vitorino. There was both the member states, even the Com- published later this year. ILGA- member states less concerned good and bad news. Of the many mission’s proposal was meeting Europe’s objective is to ensure about movement within the issues we discussed, the three with significant opposition.3 This that any common definition of Union, than with movement from most important were: was because of the difficulty of “refugee” includes people perse- outside the Union. proving whether an unmarried cuted on the grounds of their sex- ❚ Proposal for a Council Directive relationship was genuine. It was ual orientation or gender identity. NW on the right to family reunifica- tion: this applies mainly to third 1) COM(1999) 638. original proposal on 10 October 2000; the again drafted by Mark Bell and is available 2) country nationals (i. e. non-EU ILGA-Europe’s position paper on this document number of the current proposal at our web-site. proposal, written by Mark Bell, was sent to is COM(2000) 624. Additionally, ILGA-Europe is also prepar- nationals) residing in a member Commissioner Vitorino in May 2001 and is 4) In the meeting, ILGA-Europe also hand- ing a position paper on the proposal for a state lawfully for at least one year. available at our web-site. ed over its position paper on the proposal Council Directive laying down minimum The Commission’s original pro- 3) Following consultation with the Euro- for a Council Directive on minimum stan- standards on the reception of applicants posal1 was for these people to be pean Parliament, the Economic and Social dards on procedures in Member States for for asylum in Member States (COM(2001) Committee and the Committee of the granting and withdrawing refugee statues 181). joined in the European Union by Regions, the Commission amended the (COM(2000) 578). This position paper was 5) COM (2001) 257. 6 their “spouse, or an unmarried news europe letter ilga

Strengthening co-operation with national movements ILGA-Europe establishes new co-ordination network

ILGA-Europe’s activity pro- the framework directive for equal gramme agreed in its funding treatment in employment and contract with the European occupation. The implementation Commission provides for com- of this directive is certainly one munication and co-operation of the major concerns for the with nationally organised mem- next two years. ber organisations. It is our task to reach out to our member organi- As the weekend progressed, vari- sations in the EU member states ous topics were discussed and and inform about relevant devel- ideas and strategies for dealing opments at EU level. And ILGA- with particular issues were drawn Europe needs the input from its out of the debates. It became members about developments at clear that all participants were the national level relevant in the interested in continuing to devel- European context to channel op this co-operation. information on GLBT issues to the Commission and to formu- The final session of the weekend late joint demands and policies. was dedicated to discussing more concretely how the future co- Moreover, co-ordinated lobbying operation can be organised, what both at the national level and at working methods should be EU level is a crucial pre-condi- used, etc. It was also stressed that tion to achieve progress in our The first network meeting took place on 14 and15 July 2001 the national co-ordinators struggle for equality and our should also link up with other fight against discrimination. has established an “EU national all the issues in a very focused ILGA-Europe member organisa- Most things decided in Brussels co-ordination network” made up way over a weekend. The first of tions in their country interested need to be agreed by national by one representative of a these meetings took place in in working together with ILGA- governments, and have to be nationally organised member Brussels on 14 and 15 July 2001. Europe. Where possible, national implemented by national govern- organisation in each of the 15 16 national reps, expert Robert networks could be set up to unite ments. Therefore, lobbying at Member States. Being aware of Wintemute, five board members forces and resources. national level is as important as national specificities, we followed and our two staff members par- at EU level. a flexible approach allowing for ticipated. The representatives The report of the meeting sets example two Belgian reps (one from Spain and Luxembourg out a number of action points, A great deal of the work ILGA- for the Flemish and one for the could not come due to other which were agreed on during the Europe is doing is to represent French speaking community), or commitments. weekend. Judging from the num- LGBT issues in the legislative two for since there are sepa- ber of action points, there is a lot procedures in the European insti- rate umbrellas for gays and for The programme for the weekend of work to be done. The ILGA- tutions. In order to benefit even lesbians. addressed many different issues Europe EU National Co-ordina- more from this work, the nation- al associations need to be closely We approached organisations Co-ordinated lobbying both at the national level informed about ILGA-Europe’s and individuals with whom we and at EU level is crucial to achieve progress activities and become involved already have had good co-opera- and carry the pressure on to the tion and working relations in the that are currently being debated tion Network will be discussed implementing phase at national past, who have shown interest in at EU level such as asylum and further at the ILGA European level. The national associations European matters and commit- immigration, free movement of Conference in Rotterdam in and networks have always been ment to dedicate time and EU Citizens, EU enlargement and October, which will be an oppor- an important source and inspira- resources to deal with European the Community Action Pro- tunity for many of the national tion for the activities of ILGA- issues at national level, and who gramme to combat discrimina- co-ordinators to meet again. Europe, and by combining and play a key role in their country, tion (2001-2006) – see also arti- co-ordinating efforts, this will having “access” to their govern- cles on p. 6, p. 4, and p. 14. In ILGA-Europe would like to thank lead to more efficient work and ment. advance of the weekend, national the Heinrich Böll Foundation for benefits for the European LGBT co-ordinators were asked to pre- the financial support they grant- movement as a whole. ILGA-Europe has also budgeted pare a written contribution on ed to this first meeting of our annual meetings of this new net- the state of play in their country new network. For this purpose, ILGA-Europe work.These will allow to discuss regarding the implementation of METTE VADSTRUP 7 europe news ilga letter

Compensating and memorialising Nazi victims Pink Triangle Coalition

ILGA-Europe is a member of the Pink Triangle Coalition – an “international coalition for co- ordinating affairs relating to the Nazi persecution of homosexu- als”.1 The initiative to set up this coalition dates back to 1997 when the Swiss Government, in co-operation with Swiss compa- nies and banks, established the Swiss Humanitarian Fund, fed with 265 million Swiss francs, to be distributed to needy survivors of the Holocaust regardless of the reason for their persecution. The Swiss gay organisation Pink Cross got a seat in the advisory board of the Fund, and was trying to spread the information and reach out to gay and lesbian survivors. For that purpose, groups and individuals were contacted who had worked or had experience in compensation issues or even knew gay survivors. In October 1997, a first telephone conference with interested individuals was Meeting the “special master” in New York: Katherine Acey, Michael Adams, Ralf Dose, Scott Long, Julie Dorf, held. Eleven survivors were final- Kurt Krickler, Gerard Koskovich ly traced but only seven would accept the money and filed appli- redistribution of this money In February 1998, the coalition Membership in the coalition is cations to this Swiss fund, each of after the war. As a result of the was finally formalised at a meet- limited to international gay and them later received the equiva- London conference, the Interna- ing in Berlin, the name “Pink Tri- lesbian NGOs and national lent of US $ 1,300 from the tional Nazi Persecutee Relief angle Coalition” was chosen. Its organisations with particular Fund. Fund was created. The various mandate is two-fold: experience in working on com- governments agreed to pay their pensation issues or with relation- Only two months later, an shares into this Fund to be used, ❚ to ensure representation of the ships to the currently existing important event was taking with their agreement, for ear- homosexual victims of the Nazis funds. place: In December 1997, gov- marked purposes such as the vis-à-vis the various new interna- ernments from 23 countries met promotion of public education tional funds that have been creat- The first projects submitted by in London to discuss how to deal on the Nazi atrocities or the ed with a view to maximising the PTC were to the Dutch gov- with the leftovers of the monies remembrance of those murdered resources for educational projects ernment which rejected them in that the so-called Tri-Partite or otherwise persecuted by the and ensuring fair distribution of June 2000. In early 2001, the Gold Commission had taken Nazis. A representative of the – any such resources;2 and Dutch government, however, back from the Nazis after World at that point still informal – granted almost € 1.6 million, War II. During the war, the Nazi coalition was officially in atten- ❚ to collect and disseminate from other funds, for research, government had stolen gold dance at the conference, and a information about Nazi persecu- documentation and exhibition from the countries, which it paper authored by the coalition tion of gay men and lesbians projects on the Nazi persecution occupied, and the US, British was published in the official pro- with a view to involving other of homosexuals. The UK govern- and French governments set up ceedings of the conference. NGOs and facilitating a struc- ment also turned down a propos- this Commission to handle the tured approach.3 al. In 2000, the US government

1) The other nine members of the PTC are: Agudah ben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland (LSVD), Ger- in Berlin, The Pink Triangle Colloquium, bringing togeth- (Association of Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals in many; World Congress of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans- er scholars, gay survivors of Nazi persecution, human Israel); Homosexuelle Initiative (HOSI) Wien, Austria; gender Jewish Organizations (WCGLBTJO). rights activists, and policy makers to raise awareness and International Association of Lesbian and Gay Children of 2) In 2000, the PTC also sent an official observer to the present new documentation about the persecution of gay Holocaust Survivors, USA; International Gay and Lesbian Washington, D.C. International Conference on Holocaust men and lesbians in Nazi Germany. The event drew more Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), USA; Magnus- Era Assets. than 200 people from Europe and North America. Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft, Germany; Mémorial de la déporta- 3) In February 2000, the PTC, together with the Heinrich 4) This one is different from the Swiss Humanitarian 8 tion homosexuelle, France; Pink Cross, Switzerland; Les- Böll Foundation, convened a historic, two-day conference Fund mentioned in the first paragraph. news europe letter ilga

allocated, from its $ 25 million derived from slave labour. The portion of the International Nazi settlement has since been admin- Persecutee Relief Fund, $ 70,000 istered by a US court in New for the PTC to redistribute to the York. seven gay survivors mentioned above and for a Berlin-based In 1999 victims were asked to research project to help uncover come forward with their individ- additional survivors. ual claims. PTC members also spread the information. In addi- In May 2001, the PTC received its tion, in February 2000, the PTC so far largest allocation: $ submitted a proposal for a so- 528,000, again from the US share called cy pres allocation, drafted of the Fund. This amount is by ILGA-Europe treasurer Nigel being distributed to one interna- tional and two projects in Ger- Warner. Since only very few gay many. One project will ensure and lesbian survivors are still that a recent documentary film alive, the PTC was asking, on by Academy Award-winning behalf of this victim group, for 100,000 homosexuals were tracked and pursued by the Nazis, 50,000 directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey one per cent of the sum and pro- arrested and convicted, around 10,000 sent to concentration camps Friedman, Paragraph 175, will be posed to set up a foundation where more than half perished seen and discussed around the which then would distribute the world (www.tellingpix.com). A money to support specific activi- posal and substantiate the reasons to assume this, however –, the second project will create a “vir- ties. for it in a personal conversation. PTC could still file its submission tual” and real memorial to those The delegation was made up by directly to the court. killed as well as to institutions This June, the PTC learned that Julie Dorf and Scott Long from destroyed by the Nazis – this will far fewer individuals than pre- the San Francisco-based The PTC proposed to use the be in the form of a museum ex- dicted (however over a dozen IGLHRC, Ralf Dose from the money for four goals: providing hibition at the Gay Museum in Berlin (www.schwulesmuseum.de), homosexual victims) had sub- Magnus-Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft, material assistance to gay and les- a CD-ROM and an internet site mitted claims under this litiga- Gerard Koskovich, representing bian survivors; supporting schol- for educational uses. A third tion. Therefore, the remaining the Mémorial de la déportation arly research; promoting educa- project will publish a memorial amount of money is much high- homosexuelle, Kurt Krickler, rep- tion and awareness raising, book with the names of gay men er than expected, and now needs resenting both HOSI Wien and including public monuments; and lesbians in Berlin who were to be distributed in the form of ILGA-Europe, Katherine Acey advancing efforts to prevent anti- murdered by the Nazis. The two cy pres allocations to groups rep- from the Astraea Foundation, and homosexual persecution German pojects will be carried resenting the victim groups. The Michael Adams from the Lambda throughout the world today. out by the Magnus-Hirschfeld- PTC was also told that its appli- Legal Defense and Education Gesellschaft (me.in-berlin.de/ cation needed to be amended Fund in New York that also If the PTC proposal is successful ~hirschfeld/). with additional documentation. organised the public relations and one per cent of the remain- Morris Ratner, a specialised around this event and the press ing Swiss bank litigation money Also this year, € 65,000 could be attorney consulted by the PTC, conference afterwards. Morris is granted as a cy pres allocation, secured from the Austrian € 7.92 also believed that the “special Ratner attended by phone. this would be the largest single million portion of the Interna- master”,appointed by the court amount ever available for the gay tional Nazi Persecutee Relief in New York to make recommen- Mr Gribetz will now make his and lesbian cause. Fund for two gay/lesbian proj- dations about dispersing the recommendations to the court ects, one being the exhibition in remaining money, would look whose decision can be expected KURT KRICKLER mentioned on p. 10. more favourably upon a proposal next year. If the special master where the funds would go to an does not include the PTC pro- existing organisation. The PTC, posal in his recommendations to Swiss Banks Litigation therefore, decided to find an the court – there is no indication After a class action lawsuit had existing foundation that would been filed against Swiss banks, co-operate in this matter and to Relevant web-sites: centred around the allegation amend its proposal accordingly, that they failed to return more and to ask the special master for Web info on the PTC, additional background information (including on than 50,000 bank accounts that a meeting. The New York-based various projects funded by grants from the International Nazi Persecu- tee Relief Fund) at: belonged to victims of the Nazis, Astraea Lesbian Action Founda- http://www.iglhrc.org/issues/nazi/index.html these banks agreed to pay US $ tion agreed to “host” the fund if 1.25 billion to end the lawsuit. the PTC was successful with its Extensive web bibliography on the topic at: This settlement, known as the proposal. Jaime Balboa and Todd http://members.aol.com/dalembert/lgbt_history/nazi_biblio.html Holocaust Victim Assets Litiga- Presner redrafted the proposal. Information on existing funds for Nazi victims, including gays and les- tion,4 also provides for compen- On 9 August 2001 seven PTC rep- bians: sation for the banks’ unjust resentatives met with special www.swissbankclaims.com enrichment from the assets the master Judah Gribetz in his office www.compensation-for-forced-labour.org www.iom.int Nazis looted from victims or in New York to present the pro- 9 europe news ilga letter

recent official opening, the exhibition discrimination, and finally it was had been heavily vandalised. mentioned in all three work- activities HOSI Wien facilitated its imme- shops reports delivered to the diate repair and Kurt Krickler plenary. The full report of the invited the OSCE delegates to meeting will be available on the Meeting with the Belgian visit the exhibition as it was just web-site of OSCE’s Office for EU Presidency across the Hofburg conference Democratic Institutions and centre, on the Heldenplatz. Also Human Rights (ODIHR): On 8 June ILGA-Europe co- posals for Directives in the area the delegate from Canada raised www.osce.org/odihr. chairs Jackie Lewis and Kurt of immigration and asylum that the topic of sexual orientation Krickler met with representatives are in the pipeline at the moment of the Belgian EU Presidency in (see article on p. 6), the annual the Foreign Ministry in Brussels. EU Human Rights Discussion Interlocutors were Raoul Del- Forum and Report which will be Summer activities corde, head of the European Inte- prepared by the Belgian Presiden- gration Service, and his colleague cy for the end of this year. In At the end of July, French ILGA- in this context. The meeting fol- Frank Duhamel; Michel Pasteel addition ILGA-Europe extended Europe board member Isabelle lowed up on a scandal which the and Jackie van Damme represent- an invitation to the Presidency to Cruette spent a week at the Uni- mayor of the Óbuda district ing the Ministry for Employment address its annual conference in versité d’été euroméditerranéenne caused through forcing the Pepsi and Equal Opportunities; and Rotterdam. After the meeting, des homosexualités in Marseilles Island Festival organisers to sign Dirk De Meirleir who is working ILGA-Europe continued to con- where she networked in particu- a contract providing for the ban- in the Belgian Centre for Equal vey information in various con- lar with participants from the ning of all gay and lesbian activi- Opportunities and Anti-Racism. texts, such as our comprehensive Mediterranean region, and with ties and information material The main topics discussed were reports on the accession coun- Rafael Barca, amnesty interna- from the festival. After strong EU enlargement, the various pro- tries. tional’s campaign officer on protests and support, including LGBT issues. from the Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to OSCE meeting On 6 August, Kurt Krickler was Hungary, Michael Lake, the invited to participate in a round organisers declared the contract On 19 June, Kurt Krickler attend- nation, and presented as a topical table discussion at the Budapest nil, and inflicted a major defeat ed the so-called Supplementary example of intolerance against Pepsi Sziget Festival on the Óbuda to the mayor. Lake was also the Human Dimension Meeting of gays and lesbians an incident that Island in the Danube. The debate main patron of the Magic Mirror the Organization for Security had happened just a couple of with several Hungarian lesbian Tent which the LGBT groups and Co-operation in Europe days before the meeting. Austrian and gay activists and Robert used for their seven-day music, (OSCE), held in Vienna, to dis- ILGA member HOSI Wien had Lacombe, vice-director of the literature, film, cabaret and pub- cuss how to better promote toler- mounted, as a contribution to Institut Français in Budapest, lic debate programme making ance and non-discrimination in the Europride festival, an open- dealt with the LGBT movement the tent one of the most popular the OSCE area. He intervened in air exhibition on the nazi perse- as part of civil society and the spots of the whole festival. the workshop debate highlight- cution of homosexuals in Vienna experiences of the various Hun- KK ing sexual orientation discrimi- in 1938-45. The night before its garian LGBT groups and activists

SOLIDAR project

As reported in our last and the Ligue française de heard and discussed with seri- gestion was picked up by the Newsletter, ILGA-Europe is par- l’enseignement et de l’éduca- ousness from the side of the president of the Volkshilfe who ticipating as expert in the SOLI- tion permanente (France). Volkshilfe. ILGA-Europe sug- promised to implement such a DAR project Non-discriminatory gested the implementation of a work group during the summer access to services provided by After a first seminar in Bolzano discrimination work group with- of 2001. While the seminars the voluntary sector: Promoting on 7 May with the Lega Cooper- in the Volkshilfe that not only with the service providers are best practice. SOLIDAR is an ative, the Austrian Volkshilfe assessed all services and pub- only a drop on a very hot stone, independent alliance of social held its seminar in Vienna on lications of the Volkshilfe in ILGA-Europe considers this welfare, life-long learning, 25 June. ILGA-Europe was rep- terms of their inclusiveness, project – and the project development and humanitarian resented by Nico J. Beger. but would also work on devel- planned to follow-up this one – aid NGOs, the project is con- Although there was not a high oping good employment prac- a successful step in the right cerned with assessing the anti- number of participants, the tices within the Volkshilfe to direction of implementing diver- discrimination practice of four Volkshilfe was represented by assure more diversity in its sity and anti-discrimination. of its members: Arbeiter- its highest officials. The issues staff and create a working envi- The next seminar will be held wohlfahrt-Bundesverband (Ger- presented by the participating ronment that stands as an at the Arbeiterwohlfahrt Ger- many), Volkshilfe Österreich experts (from ENAR, ILGA- example for the kind of out- many in in September. (Austria), Lega Provinciale Europe, Euro-Link Age, Unison, reaching services the Volkshil- More info: www.solidar.org. Cooperative Bolzano (Italy), amnesty international) were fe wants to provide. This sug- NB 10 news europe letter ilga

ILGA-Europe responds to urgent calls for action: Serbia, Egypt and India

ILGA-Europe can help fight human rights violations both inside and outside of Europe in two ways: by trying to persuade institutions of the European Union and the Council of Europe to take up such cases; and by persuading its member organisations across Europe to join campaigns through lobby- ing their own governments to intervene in particular cases, or through writing protest letters and actions.

In recent weeks we have taken up three urgent calls for action:

Serbia

As many will have seen on Euronews or other TV channels, Belgrade’s first gay pride march on 30 June was brutally attacked by large crowds of nationalist Belgrade’s first gay pride march on 30 June was brutally attacked by large crowds of nationalist extremists extremists and football hooli- gans, and a number of partici- pants were injured. Despite “which we can raise with our Patten, and to the Belgian Presi- material. The staff were charged advanced warning the police Yugoslav interlocutors of the dency of the European Council, with, inter alia, conspiring to failed to provide adequate pro- continuing need to step up the drawing attention to the EU’s commit “unnatural sexual acts” tection, and were slow in protection of human rights”. commitment to linking its under Section 377 of the Indian responding to the situation. ILGA member organisations Mediterranean Area develop- Penal Code (IPC) (which makes These events followed immedi- were also requested to take up ment programmes to progress in illegal sexual acts between men), ately on the 29 June Brussels the case. human rights. ILGA-Europe also read with Sections 120b (con- Donor Conference, at which the endorsed the campaign of Al- spiracy) and 109 (abet) of the Fatiha, an organisation of IPC. At the request of the Naz 55 gay men were arrested by the Egypt police and LGBTQ Muslims & Friends, for Foundation ILGA-Europe has are likely to have been subjected to torture a day of protest on 15 August asked member organisations to (the day scheduled for the start approach Europe-based founda- European Union pledged some of the trial), and for a boycott of tions supporting the fights € 530 million of aid to Egyptian tourism. against HIV/AIDS in India, with Yugoslavia conditional upon Egypt the objective of enlisting their compliance with generally support. respected standards of human In May 55 gay men taking part On August 16 and 17, in two and minority rights. ILGA- in a disco were arrested. On 18 India separate hearings, the Lucknow Europe immediately wrote to July, 52 of these men were branch of the Allahabad High the EU Commissioner for Exter- charged in a state security court On 7 July police in Lucknow Court granted bail to the four nal Relations, Chris Patten, with “obscene behaviour” and drawing his attention to the fail- “expressing contempt for reli- The offices of two Indian organisations working in the ure of the Yugoslav authorities gion”.They had been held in field of HIV/AIDS were raided and the staff arrested to respect the conditions of the prison since the arrest, and there Brussels Donor Conference and were serious grounds for believ- raided the offices of two organi- HIV/AIDS workers held in to the Yugoslav Minister of the ing that they had been subjected sations working in the field of prison since their arrest. The Interior, Dusˇan Mihajlovic´. Pat- to torture and degrading treat- HIV/AIDS, the Bharosa Trust trial, however, will continue. ten’s Chief of Cabinet thanked ment. ILGA-Europe immediately and Naz Foundation Internation- ILGA-Europe for the informa- alerted its members to the case, al, arresting the staff, and seizing NW tion, saying that it is an example and in July wrote to both Chris educational and prevention 11 europe news ilga letter

European Parliament Human rights reports 2000 support LGBT equality

On 5 July 2001, the European countries in the world which still Parliament in Strasbourg debated prohibit homosexuality in their and adopted its annual report domestic law to change this legis- and resolution on the respect of lation without delay” and “urges fundamental rights in the Euro- those States which impose the pean Union (A5-0223/2001), death penalty on homosexuals to drafted by French conservative stop doing so immediately”. MEP Thierry Cornillet. ILGA-Europe had provided the In sub-chapters “Discrimination two rapporteurs with extensive on the basis of sexual orienta- information about the situation tion” and “Non-marital relation- of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and ships”,the Parliament adopted transgendered people both in the seven recommendations to the The European Parliament in Strasbourg called upon Member States to member states and world-wide member states, including to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination under criminal or civil law and stated in a press release repeal anti-homosexual legisla- issued on 6 July, that “we are very tion and to release all prisoners liament recommends that mem- ed by Finnish Green MEP Matti pleased that the rapporteurs have jailed on the basis of such provi- ber states recognise non-marital Wuori. In paragraph 116, under included some of this informa- sions. As in previous resolutions relationships between persons of the section on “recommenda- tion and that also some of our of the Parliament, Austria was the same sex and assign them tions on other issues requiring specific proposals have been especially mentioned. The EP equal rights (for the full text of urgent international action”,the taken up by various political also calls upon member states to the relevant paragraphs, see box Parliament, stressing “that homo- groupings” as a result of our lob- prohibit sexual orientation dis- on this page). sexuals are still victims of dis- bying (the full text of the press crimination under criminal or crimination, prejudice and denial release is available at our web- civil law, and to not give their On the same day the Parliament of their basic human rights in site). Cornillet also acknowl- consent to the accession of any also adopted its annual report countries all over the world, edged ILGA-Europe’s contribu- country that has discriminatory and resolution on the Union’s including some Member States tion in his report. laws against homosexuals, such human rights policy towards and candidate countries such as as Romania. And finally, the Par- third countries (A5-0193), draft- Romania”,“calls upon the eighty KK

EP-Resolution A5-0223/2001

[The European Parliament] persons jailed under such pro- in employment and occupation; Romania’s Article 200; visions, and calls in particular 82. Recommends that the Discrimination on the basis of on Austria - in accordance with Member States introduce legis- Non-marital relationships sexual orientation the ruling of the European lation in line with Directive 84. Recommends that Member 79. Recommends that the Commission of Human Rights 2000/78/EC, which forbids dis- States: Member States include sexual and the numerous appeals crimination on the grounds of (a) amend their legislation in orientation in Additional Proto- issued by the European Parlia- sexual orientation in access to order to recognise non-marital col No 12 to the European Con- ment - to revise the provisions goods and services, health, relationships between persons vention on Human Rights as concerning the age of consent; housing, education and social of the same or the opposite sex one of the prohibited grounds 81. Recommends that the protection; notes that to date and assign them equal rights, for discrimination and extend Member States prohibit dis- only eight Member States have (b) put the issue of mutual the terms of reference of the crimination on grounds of sexu- equivalent anti-discriminatory recognition of legally recog- European Commission against al orientation and include it as legislation; nised non-marital relationships Racism and Intolerance to an offence under the criminal 83. Repeal discriminatory on the EU agenda; include homophobia based on or civil law of all Member laws against gays and lesbians 85. Recommends that the sexual orientation; States, and adopt appropriate in criminal codes of current Member States introduce legis- 80. Recommends that the employment-law measures to Member States, as well as lation which prohibits discrimi- Member States repeal all implement Council Directive assuring that they will not rati- nation for long term co-habi- remaining discriminatory legis- 2000/78/EC of 27 November fy any accession of countries tants and provides the same lation concerning homosexuali- 2000 establishing a general which have discriminatory laws judicial protection as for legal- ty and release from prison all framework for equal treatment against homosexuality, such as ly married couples; 12 news europe letter ilga

European Court of Justice: Not equivalent to marriage

On 31 May, the European Court same sex or of the opposite sex”, of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg which arrangements “are regarded MEP Inquiry to Neil Kinnock delivered its judgement in Joined in the Member States concerned As a reaction to the attitudes which are working in EU institu- Cases C-122/99 P and C-125/99 P, as being distinct from marriage”. European Court of Jus- contradictory to the tions. He explained 1 tice’s (ECJ) final deci- wording of the Treaty. that the Commission D. & Sweden v. Council. The case The ECJ thus concluded: “the sion in the Sven Mr Lund asked Com- at the moment was concerned the refusal by the Community judicature cannot Englund case, a Dan- missioner Kinnock “analysing the legal Council to treat the Swedish interpret the Staff Regulations in ish Member of the when the staff poli- and administrative same-sex registered partnership of such a way that legal situations European Parliament cies could be expect- arrangements in the a Council employee as equivalent distinct from marriage are treated (PSE), Torben Lund, ed to be changed. Member States in to a marriage in relation to an in the same way as marriage”, sent a letter to Com- order to enable us to missioner Neil Kin- In his answer, Mr Kin- make specific propos- employment benefit. D.’s annul- given the above-mentioned cir- nock (responsible for nock assured that it als for the necessary ment action in the Court of First cumstances and the fact that, “in a institutional affairs) was the Commission’s legal changes”. And Instance (CFI) was dismissed on limited number of [the 15] Mem- emphasising that it intention to implement he reassured that all 28 January 1999. Both D. and the ber States, a registered partnership was disappointing that the principle of treat- proposals for modifi- Swedish government appealed to is assimilated, although incom- the EU’s own institu- ing registered partner- cation of the Staff the ECJ, and the Danish and pletely, to marriage”.(At the time tions, with the aid of ships as legally equiv- Regulations are to be Dutch governments intervened on of the judgement, only Denmark, the European Court, alent to marriages in presented later this enforce discriminatory the case of officials year. the side of D. Advocate-General the Netherlands and Sweden had (AG) Jean Mischo urged the ECJ full, almost-identical-to-marriage to dismiss the appeals of D. and registered partnership laws; Ice- MEP Inquiry to Guy Verhofstadt Sweden in his Opinion of 22 Feb- land and Norway are not member On 2 August, the Euro- dent of the Council of poses legislation such ruary 2001. states.) The ECJ left the issue of pean Voice (# 31) Ministers. In the letter as the recently adopt- picked up on the Sven Baroness Ludford ed equal treatment recognition to the EC legislature, Englund ruling of the states that it “is unac- directive, the EU insti- The ECJ agreed with the CFI and stressing that a 1998 request by ECJ as well. In a cover ceptable for the Coun- tutions need to set the AG, and gave five main rea- the Swedish government that the story the paper report- cil to fail to implement examples. ILGA-Europe sons for dismissing the appeals. Staff Regulations be amended to ed that a UK Member equality laws that it co-chair Kurt Krickler First, the provision of the Staff expressly provide for the equiva- of the European Parlia- rightly enforces in the was also quoted in the Regulations providing for the pay- lence of marriage and registered ment, Baroness Sarah member states”. She article, finding it ment of a household allowance to partnership had been rejected by Ludford, had written to argues that if the EU is amazing that the ECJ the Belgian Prime Min- to be a driving force in had not referred to the a “married official” (of a European the Council and referred to the ister Guy Verhofstadt, the fight against dis- EU Charter of Funda- Community institution) could not Commission for study. who is currently Presi- crimination and pro- mental Rights. MV be interpreted as covering an offi- cial who had contracted a regis- Second, this interpretation of the binding Charter of Fundamental rable ... to that of a married offi- tered partnership. The ECJ noted Staff Regulations did not involve Rights of the European Union. cial.” Because comparison was not that: any sex discrimination with The latter expressly prohibits sex- permitted, the Council did not ❚ unregistered same-sex cohabita- regard to pay, contrary to Article ual orientation discrimination by have to provide any justification tion (as in Grant v. South-West 141 of the EC Treaty, because a EC institutions and by Member for the difference in treatment. Trains, 1998) was “not necessarily woman with a female partner States when implementing EC law. equivalent to a registered partner- would have been treated in the Fifth, this interpretation is not ship under a statutory arrange- same way (the same faulty reason- Fourth, this interpretation did not “capable of constituting interfer- ment” with legal effects “akin to ing as in Grant). violate the general principle of ence in private and family life those of marriage” (meaning that equal treatment as “nature of legal within the meaning of Article 8 of Grant was not conclusive); Third, this interpretation did not ties” (or implicitly “marital sta- the European Convention”.Here, ❚ “according to the definition gen- involve any sexual orientation dis- tus”) discrimination, because the the ECJ seems to have focussed on erally accepted by the Member crimination (potentially prohibit- principle “can only apply to per- D.’s argument that the Council’s States, the term ‘marriage’ means a ed for EC institutions and Mem- sons in comparable situations… notifying Belgian authorities that union between two persons of the ber States implementing or dero- The existing situation in the he was “single” was an interference opposite sex”; and gating from EC law through the Member States … as regards with his Article 8 rights, rather ❚ “since 1989 an increasing num- unwritten and open-ended “gen- recognition of partnerships than on the effect of the denial of ber of Member States have intro- eral principle of equal treatment” between persons of the same sex the household allowance on his duced, alongside marriage, statu- in EC law), because “it is not the or of the opposite sex reflects a private and family life and the tory arrangements granting legal sex of the partner which deter- great diversity of laws and the questions: (i) whether he had a recognition to various forms of mines whether the household absence of any general assimila- “family life”,and (ii) whether union between partners of the allowance is granted, but the legal tion of marriage and other forms there was discrimination in rela- nature of the ties between the offi- of statutory union... In those cir- tion to his private or family life cial and the partner”.The ECJ did cumstances, the situation of an contrary to Articles 8 and 14 of 1) D. stands for Sven Englund, a Swedish translator employed by the Council, see not cite Article 13 of the EC official who has registered a part- the Convention. These two ques- also IE Newsletter # 1, p. 13. Treaty or Article 21 of the non- nership ... cannot be held compa- tions have never been decided by 13 europe news ilga letter

the European Court of Human EU Action Programme to combat discrimination Rights in Strasbourg, as opposed to the former European Commis- sion of Human Rights, and are Commission has now presented in Karner v. Austria,Application No. 40016/98, which is pending before the Stras- bourg Court. pre-selected 71 projects The ECJ declared inadmissible (because it was only raised on Under the Community Action reduced to around 25 projects in this extensive Community pro- appeal) a sixth argument made by Programme to combat discrimi- depending on the Commission’s gramme. D., that the marriage-only inter- nation (2001-2006) the Euro- budget and the quality of the pretation of the Staff Regulations pean Commission will launch projects. The project partners For smaller associations and constitutes nationality discrimina- several projects and activities, will then have two years time to NGOs who would be interested tion, or an obstacle to the free some of which are open to NGO pursue the activities set out in in participating in one of the movement of workers, violating participation. In March this year, their work programme. The projects but do not have the the EC Treaty, i. e., Danish, Dutch the Commission released a call Commission funding for Phase capacity to make their own pro- and Swedish workers who had for proposals for preparatory Two is set to € 175,000 per proj- posals, this is the time to get registered their partnerships work to establish transnational would be deterred from moving actions for the exchange of infor- This is the time to get involved for smaller to other Member States to work mation and good practice on associations and NGOs interested in participating (including to Brussels to work for specific areas of discrimination an EC institution) if their regis- (VP/2001/12). This proposal was ect per year, and again the proj- involved. The list of the 71 pre- tered partnerships were not treat- open to a broad variety of ect partners will have to co- selected projects will be pub- ed as equivalent to marriages. Just national and local actors such as finance the remaining 15 %. lished at the Commission web- as Grant has been overruled by the associations, federations, site, where the projects will be combination of a 1997 amend- local/regional authorities, univer- Phase Three is a 6-month period, described and the contact details ment to the EC Treaty (adding sities, and research centres. in which the projects that are of the project partners will be Article 13) and EC legislation considered to have most added available. Additionally, the Com- under Article 13 prohibiting sexu- The Commission has now pre- value at the European level will mission has set up a partner post al orientation discrimination with selected 71 projects, to start be funded to market and pro- box, where interested associa- regard to pay and other aspects of Phase One on October 1, 2001. mote the results of their work. tions can make themselves employment (Council Directive Phase One will last six months known and list their interests/ 2000/78/EC of 27 November and is the preparatory phase in A transnational exchange project capacities and contact details. 2000), a solution to the problem which the selected project part- should address discrimination of non-recognition of registered ners will have to develop their either in two or more of the The Commission has scheduled a partnerships by EC institutions project and find other suitable grounds mentioned in Article 13 conference for next October, and in other member states will project partners to work with. or address multiple discrimina- which will launch the beginning probably require new legislation. The Commission will monitor tion, which is seen harder to of the transnational projects and However, if the EC legislature this phase closely, assist and prove and often appears different put focus on the Action Pro- does not act, and the number of arrange meetings with the proj- in nature to discrimination on a gramme. More information on member states with registered ect partners. The idea behind single ground. Alternatively, it can the conference will be published partnership laws continues to Phase One is for the pre-selected focus on specific characteristics of on the Commission web-site. grow,in a few years another project partners (and others that one of the grounds. Additionally claimant could ask the ECJ to might be interested in getting the transnational exchange must The ILGA-Europe office will also reconsider the arguments made by involved in a specific project) to consist of partners from three or be able to provide more informa- D., including the free movement spend time on developing a work more EU member states. The tion on the Action Programme argument. programme, which sets out the transnational exchange project and the transnational exchange

ROBERT WINTEMUTE activities that are planned for will last over a 3-year period, and projects and be of assistance with Phase Two. The Commission’s it is important that all grounds in providing information on the Info funding for Phase One is set to Article 13, including sexual orien- projects, partners and the confer- 50,000 and will cover 85 % of the tation, are addressed adequately ence in October. MV This item first appeared in the total eligible project cost, the Summer 2001 Lesbian/Gay Law project partners will have to Relevant web-sites: Notes, http://www.qrd.org/www/ usa/legal/lgln. guarantee co-financing for the European Commission web-site on anti-discrimination: remaining 15 %. http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamri/index_en.htm The full text of the judgement: http://europa.eu.int/jurisp/cgi- The partner post box: http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/ The Commission will make a bin/form.pl?lang=en (type C- fundamri/partner_box/index.cfm?LANG=en definite selection for Phase Two 122/99 after “Case number”). Community Action Programme: http://europa.eu.int/comm/ after having reviewed the work employment_social/fundamri/prog/index_en.htm ILGA-Europe’s 7 June press re- programme of the pre-selected lease on the judgement is avail- (Phase One) projects. The num- Calendar for the transnational projects: http://europa.eu.int/comm/ able at www.ilga-europe.org. employment_social/fundamri/prog/calendar_en.htm 14 ber of Phase Two projects will be news europe letter ilga news Slovene “No” to artificial insemination clips In June 2001 a public referendum forums and discussions all over held in Slovenia resulted in tak- the country, developing PR rela- ing away the right to medically tions and a special web-site, pro- assisted artificial insemination ducing a TV spot, jumbo posters, from single women, including a special booklet and other infor- European parents join fight for equality lesbians. mational material for the citi- zens. In summer 2000 the conservative The original inspiration of an ❚ Enable lesbian, gay and bisexual government introduced a bill Even before the Committee was Italian mother, Paola Dall’Orto, young people to grow up in safe- which did not allow single set up, SˇKUC-LL sent an appeal President of AGEDO, came to ty and develop a sense of their women to have artificial insemi- to the national Parliament and to fruition in Brussels in April 2001 own worth. nation. Soon after the govern- the Ombudsman and called when parents of lesbian daugh- ment changed, and the liberals upon them to examine whether ters and gay sons, representing Michael Cashman MEP attended proposed an amendment elimi- such a referendum was in accor- their national organisations – the meeting and pledged his sup- nating this discrimination dance with the constitution. The AGEDO (Italy), BEFAH (Ger- port. “It is an enormous chal- against single women. In April concerns were also reported to many), Contact Français lenge”,said Jenny Broughton, 2001 the amended bill was the UN Human Rights Commis- (France), FFLAG (UK) and TELS “but we believe that a strong par- adopted by a majority in Parlia- sion. QUELS-PEH (Belgium) – signed ents’ organisation can be a force ment. According to the new law the Statutes of the new organisa- for changing attitudes and a medically assisted artificial In the context of the referendum, tion EuroFLAG, European Fami- power to challenge prejudice and insemination was available to all several important and alarming lies of Lesbians and Gays. discrimination and help to bring women, regardless of their mari- facts have become evident: about equal rights for the LGB tal status. The opposition, how- ❚ the citizens of Slovenia were The national co-ordinator of community. We have followed ever, demanded a public referen- deciding on the human rights of FFLAG, Jenny Broughton, was Michael Cashman’s advice to us: dum to be held. a very marginalised social minor- elected as the first president of ‘Agree the vision’ – now we have ity group although human rights EuroFLAG; and Caroline and to put it into practice.” The referendum took place on 17 never should be subject to a ref- Gilles Schaufelberger, of Contact June 2001. The active participa- erendum; Français, were elected vice-presi- EuroFLAG is planning a project tion of the voters was extremely ❚ the referendum actually dents. which will gather statistical infor- low – only 35 % of all voters legalised discrimination; women mation from each country on the took part in the referendum, of lost rights they had already The aims of EuroFLAG are to: problems faced by lesbian and those 72 % were against the new gained; ❚ Raise public awareness on gay young people in school, at law. This can hardly be consid- ❚ during the public campaign a issues surrounding homosexuali- home and in society. ered as a democratic decision. high level of social intolerance ty The voters not only denied the and discriminatory attitudes ❚ Affirm the equal rights of our Contact: FFLAG, Jenny right of single women to med- towards unmarried women, les- daughters and sons Broughton, 8 Silver Terrace, ically assisted insemination but bians and women with disabili- ❚ Fight every form of discrimina- Exeter EX4 4JE, England; also the right of infertile couples ties was revealed. Lesbian women tion against lesbian, gay and [email protected] to artificial insemination with were consistently used as an bisexual peoples and their fami- donor sperm. example for unsuitable parents. lies Lesbian mothers were depicted as Before the referendum there were “mentally ill”,“unattractive”, two main public campaigns, “abnormal”,“frustrated female “pro” and “contra”. The pro- animals”,and “dangerous for the campaign was created by a Com- child” German Registered Partnership law in force mittee for Free Choice, under the ❚ the Roman title “Svobodna.Si” (You are free). took an active part within the On 1 August 2001, town halls all motion to suspend the law until It was initiated by several NGOs public discussion, opposing the over Germany were invaded by the Court would have ruled in and other organisations, includ- rights of women to free choice. same-sex couples wishing to have the complaint case itself put for- ing the lesbian group SˇKUC-LL, Slovenia is breaking several inter- their relationships registered ward by the three Länder which intellectuals, academics, national conventions which the under the new Lebenspartner- consider the law unconstitution- respectable people from politics, country has ratified, e. g. the schaftsgesetz that came into force al. Observers take this move as an culture, sport, show business, ECHR and the Convention on on that very day. An attempt by indication that the Court will etc., who united their experience the Elimination of all Forms of three Länder (Bavaria, Saxony approve the law. Had the Court and knowledge to promote the Discrimination against Women. and Thuringia) to prevent this had serious doubts as to the law’s rights of single women. from happening failed on 18 July constitutionality, it would likely TATJANA GREIF when the Federal Constitutional not have dismissed the motion to The campaign consisted of sever- Court dismissed their urgency suspend the law. al activities including public 15 europe news ilga letter

Slovakia Still a long way to go

The meeting of the LGBT concerning the biological chil- activists from accession countries dren of the partners, but no right at the recent hearing in the Euro- to adoption. Parliament is sup- pean Parliament (see article on p. posed to discuss the proposal this 4) was an important experience autumn. Other activities are tar- for lesbians and gays from the geted at the media and the gener- accession countries, including al public. Slovakia. Once more we realise that no matter how successful These activities were met with some of us are in achieving law negative reactions from the con- reform, the actual situation in servative and religious part of the the daily life of LGBT people is society. The idea of homosexuali- still without a remarkable change ty as a curable illness was inten- and stays too similar in all transi- sively promoted by Christian tional countries. The GLBT movement in Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city, is facing politicians in media, especially in resistance by the Christian right and the National Party the Christian oriented pro- Discrimination of lesbians and grammes on state TV channel 2. gays in everyday life is frequent discouraging gay and lesbian vic- been able to act in public and in After one year of continuous and ferocious. Some reasons for tims of violence from filing the media, initiate campaigns for attacks of the Christian right, cir- the high level of homophobia in charges, because they do not dare legislative change, promote LGBT cles near to the Slovak National Slovak society are conservative to admit the true nature of rights and inform the public Party have started a campaign rural and religious traditions, the offences or violence committed about the situation of sexual about the potential threat to chil- negative myths and prejudices against them openly. minorities in Slovakia. Iniciatíva dren caused by the presence of against gay men and lesbian Inakost’ has a Charter which, as a homosexual school teachers. This women, and the lack of first At the moment there are 4 gay political document, is being con- was a reaction to the movement’s hand authentic and visible infor- and 2 lesbian organisations offi- stantly signed by mainstream recent appeal to the Parliament mation about our lives. Discrimi- to recognise equal rights for nation is often half-hidden and 11 years after the fall of the totalitarian regime gays & homosexuals in the Code of sophisticated. lesbians in Slovakia cannot say they feel safe enough Labour and Civil Service. Thus, the idea of the protection of chil- We have also recorded many per- cially registered. Except their organisations and non-LGBT dren and youth against homosex- sonal experiences of direct emo- leaders, all the membership is people supporting the cause. ual teachers as dangerous for tional and physical violence practically secret. From all our “transmitting” homosexuality against LGBT people. We must members in the whole country The major activities of the new and influencing young people emphasise that 11 years after the only 4 women and 10 men are Initiative include advocacy for seems to be the newest strategy fall of the totalitarian regime gays completely out. amending the Slovak Constitu- in fighting sexual minorities in and lesbians in Slovakia cannot tion to ban discrimination based Slovakia. There is still a long way say they feel safe enough. They In May 2000, a group of LGBT on sexual orientation and draft- to go even though all discrimina- continue to live in fear and feel activists, mostly from these exist- ing a proposal for a Registered tory provisions in the penal code forced to make their “being dif- ing groups, established the Initia- Partnership law. This is the third have been repealed. ferent” invisible. Coming out in tive Difference – Co-existence attempt since 1997 to introduce

society as well as in families is without Discrimination against such legislation. The new bill ANNA DAUCˇ ÍKOVÁ still met with embarrassed and Sexual Minorities. They have provides also for parental rights Spokesperson of Iniciatíva Inakost’ negative reactions. Among the most common ways of direct dis- crimination are teasing, con- tempt, and an open pathologisa- Forthcoming event tion. In the work place, lesbians and gays often face exclusion and marginalisation, which is causing Preparing for the International AIDS conference in Barcelona isolation and emotional prob- lems. This starts in the families. Net2002 from Barcelona, Spain is get input and help organise the en/welcome.html and distribute Too many lesbians and gays in inviting HIV/AIDS organisations community programme of the widely among your local organi- Slovakia hide their sexual orien- from the Mediterranean countries next International AIDS Confer- sations. There are also some tation from their families. The to a Mediterranean Community ence in Barcelona in July 2002. scholarships for travel expenses. generally homophobic attitude of Meeting in Barcelona, October 4- parents, teachers, priests, police 7, 2001. The meeting will be a Please read the call for applica- 16 and authorities is silencing and preparatory gathering in order to tions at http://www.red2002.org/ news europe letter ilga

Russia Dictatorship of homophobes?

Looking back, the period of tion room. They did not allow us Yeltsin’s rule will probably be to go to the toilet and gave us nei- considered as the most liberal ther food nor water. times. The 1990s started off well. ❚ I was about to leave when I Simultaneously with the decade’s heard someone crying. I had no birth, the dawn of the Russian time to react as I was hit hard on gay movement began. The first the back and fell down. Someone legal gay paper appeared. Later, took hold of my head and hit it on the heels of the failed com- against the wall. People in uni- munist riot (the famous putsch), form asked me whether I wanted gay organisations and other gay to get some more of this. I kept publications came into being. Up silent. Nearby a man was lying to 1992, I was a staff member of with a gun held above his head. the All-Union Centre for AIDS ❚ They were beating and threaten- Prevention. It was this job that ing us continuously, then they took prompted me to launch a maga- us into a room, put us against the zine for gay people named “1/10”. wall with hands behind the head. Daily I was confronted with the In this position we stood for about deplorable situation of people four hours. All this time masked with HIV, both gay and hetero- people were walking around us sexual. and beating us on the back, neck and kidneys. They also insulted us Our basic challenge was the and pressured us psychologically. struggle against discrimination of ❚ When one of the boys, unable to gay people and people with HIV. stand at the wall any longer, fell May 1993 saw a major event – down, a few people ran up and hit President Yeltsin, considering him five or six times. I cannot for- amendments to the criminal get this. code of the Russian Federation, ❚ I heard one policeman say repealed Article 121.1 which answering the question concerning banned sexual relations between In police is harassing, humiliating and mistreating visitors our destination: “We are clearing men. This was partly our victory of gay clubs the town of you crud, gays and les- too. The editorial staff of “1/10” bians, we are taking you to the alone sent eight petitions to the province. These lines were written would be summoned with the aim fields to shoot you.” You can imag- President demanding the repeal in the summer of 1993, yet they of discovering potential maniacs ine the condition of the people in of this article. I wrote then, fully apply to present day life. and killers amongst them. It is no the bus. including in the French Libéra- secret to anyone in Moscow that ❚ Someone was shouting that tion and in more than ten Russ- Incidents of repression by quite a few traitors work for KGB “power has changed hands and ian periodicals: So what will the authorities and the law enforce- and the police as informants. you, stinkers, must be put into a changes be after the notorious arti- ment bodies take place more fre- cle gets repealed? None! Almost. quently. Here are the lines from a Incidents of repression by authorities and the law The only improvement will be the letter by Valery Klimov, a gay enforcement bodies take place more frequently possibility to make HIV preven- activist from Nizhny Tagil in the tion more effective. At the same Sverdlovsk region: Over one hun- Does this not remind us of 1937? furnace and burnt”. I heard this time one does not have to be a dred (!) gay men who had never myself. hardened realist to understand before had any problems with the In Moscow, the police wearing No one handed in a complaint to that the repeal of the article has law were taken to the police sta- masks and machine guns burst the procurator: They stand for not in the least changed society’s tions. Their only thing they were into the gay club “Chance” and, each other there. There is no attitude toward sexual minorities. guilty of was that they were known brutally beating everyone, drove guarantee that you would not be Alas, no decree of the President is as gays. By means of blackmail many people in an unknown imprisoned on the basis of your able to raise the low cultural level and threats the policemen took direction. They made the impres- own complaint. of the majority of our fellow citi- their fingerprints and pictures, sion of being on drugs or drunk zens. Hence in the eyes of society and tried to force many of them to because their behaviour was There are countless examples. I homosexuality was and still is co-operate with the police, to be clearly not normal. Here is evi- can add that one of the reasons deviant and delinquent… And so informants. On local TV a repre- dence of some victims: On that for me moving to the Czech homophobia is blooming power- sentative of the Tagil police, Mr. day 11 persons (including myself) Republic in late 1995 was this fully, homophobia that is aggres- Nikelberg, stated that in the near were brought to the 70th police feeling of total defencelessness sive and raging especially in the future about 400 homosexuals station and locked in the insula- towards the arbitrary rule of 17 europe news ilga letter

Russian law enforcement bodies. ments themselves, now there is no Luckily, I managed to retain my under it as well: I hate this coun- No one is willing to seek legal or protection left whatsoever. Since passport for travelling abroad, try, because during my entire life psychological advice for fear of the times of the putsch the situa- and the next day I was beyond I’ve been living with the fear that publicity and blackmail. I am not tion has changed, and the change the borders of Russia. I was fol- someone might shout “faggot” at aware of any specialised service paradoxically has been negative lowed by those who helped me in me and hit me in the face. And I in Russia for those who belong to am physically unable to hit back, I sexual minorities. Six years ago “While we are looking through your publications, am unable and afraid, and I hate attempts were made to create a you’ll wait in the cell with criminals.” my fear. I hate this country as I community-based centre to assist am afraid of leaving it. I am not and serve gays and lesbians and powerful. And, speaking in my work in the gay and lesbian sure I would be able to live in under the auspices of the “Trian- medical terms, the prognosis is far movement starting in 1991. another country – I was made like gle” association in Moscow. from favourable. Andrei, Moscow. this by the life here. My best Sadly, “Triangle” ceased to exist During his election campaign Mr moments took place here, in this way too soon due to lack of Unwittingly, the author of this Putin promised to impose the country which I hate. I try not to resources. And then, by the end letter turned out to be clairvoy- “dictatorship of law”.It seems to think about bad things, I enjoy of the century, all gay publica- ant. On May 7, 2000 (which was me that with time only the first small joys, try to distract myself, tions and active organisations symbolic – on the day of word of this combination remains but this country humiliates me vanished into thin air. Vladimir Putin’s inauguration) valid. Often I hear that we, gays, over and over again, forcing me to the police came to my home (I lesbians and bisexuals, are to be hate it. In this land I am defence- Here is a truly prophetic letter had just come to Moscow from isolated on an island. Yes, I always less before everyone: the hoodlum that I received back in 1998: for a week) and confiscat- reply, give us this island! Don’t scum, the police, authorities, Before the repeal of Article 121.1 ed all publications, the archive give the Kuril Islands to the neighbours, the narrow-minded we all had been pressed by the fact and other things. I spent half a Japanese, give them to us, LGBT public and scornfully condescend- that we were criminals and hence day at the glorious Petrovka, 38 people! And we will at last be able ing intelligentsia… Oh Lord, give very vulnerable. Now the pressure (Moscow Criminal Investigation to sigh with relief, getting away me enough strength not to hate the is of a different kind. We seem to Department) where I was inter- from your “democracy”! country I so much love! – V. A., be clean before the law, but as it rogated. Then I was told in plain Moscow. turns out we have become even terms (surely not to be record- And to top this off, here is a let- more defenceless as lawlessness is ed): “While we are looking ter from a reader of “1/10”,but I DMITRI LYTCHËV reigning in this country. There are through your publications, you’ll am ready to put my signature still lot of cases of blackmail, but wait in the cell with criminals. while formerly it was the business It’s highly unlikely you’ll get back Info of tough guys, now it is the police alive or at least in good condi- Dmitri Lytchëv is a writer, publisher and journalist, living in Prague. who are into it. While formerly tion.” I was released, but they [email protected] gays did not seek protection from took away my Russian passport the police only due to the fact that and assured me that I would be More information on LGBT Russia at the following web-site: www.gay.ru they were treated as illegal ele- back at their place some day.

Report on Lesbian and Gay People in Candidate Countries to EU Membership

ILGA-Europe’s report All 13 accession of lesbian and gay on the situation of countries are repre- citizens in these lesbians and gay sented with individ- countries. In filling men in the candi- ual reports. A fur- this gap, it provides date countries is ther chapter pres- a concrete step still available from ents the European towards the identifi- the office in Brus- Union’s legislation cation of areas in sels. It is part of the and policies that are need of reform, and project “Lesbian relevant to the points to the strate- and Gay People in rights of lesbians gies available for Candidate Countries and gays in the improving the situa- to EU Membership” accession countries. tion of lesbian which received women, gay men, financial support This report is a bisexuals and trans- from the Open Soci- response to the lack gendered (LGBT) ety Institute of accurate informa- people in the acces- (Budapest). tion about the status sion countries. Order it now from the ILGA-Europe office. 18 news europe letter ilga

Vienna, June 2001 ILGA-Europe at Europride

Panel 1: Joke Swiebel, Harald Trettenbrein, Mark Bell, Cathal Kelly, Kurt Panel 2: Joke Swiebel, Kees Waaldijk, Ulrike Lunacek, Cathal Kelly, Wolf Krickler, Sarah Ludford Szymanski, Sarah Ludford

At the Europride 2001 festival in Vienna, Krickler. Topics discussed by the first panel ILGA-Europe co-organised a one-day collo- included: What opportunities does the quium, “Lesbians and Gay Men and the European Union offer for combating dis- European Union”,on Sunday, 24 June, in co- crimination on the ground of sexual orien- operation with its Austrian member HOSI tation, what initiatives have been taken in Wien, the City of Vienna’s Anti-Discrimina- the past, and in which areas, what are the tion Unit for Same-Sex Life-styles and the plans for the future, and what is the signifi- local Europride organiser, CSD Wien. The cance of EU enlargement for gays and les- event at Vienna City Hall was opened by city bians in the accession countries? The second councillor Renate Brauner. MEPs Joke panel debated the recognition of same-sex Swiebel (PSE/NL) and Baroness Sarah Lud- partnerships and marriages as a challenge ford (Liberals/UK) debated on two panels for the European Union as more and more with experts Mark Bell and Kees Waaldijk, EU member states are adopting registered Harald Trettenbrein from the Representa- partnership legislation or even opening up tion of the European Commission in Aus- full civil marriage for same-sex couples. tria, Ulrike Lunacek, openly lesbian member What implications does this have for the of the Austrian Federal Parlament, Wolf Szy- right to free movement of these couples manski from the Austrian Ministry of the within the EU? Both panels were facilitated Interior, and ILGA-Europe co-chair Kurt by Irish gay activist Cathal Kelly.

ILGA-Europe’s flag on HOSI Wien’s float at Europride Parade

ILGA-Europe was also present at the huge ple. The float of HOSI Wien was decorated Europride parade on the Ringstraße on 30 with the new ILGA-Europe flag. June which gathered a quarter million peo- 19 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT ROTTERDAM 24-28 October 2001

Plans for the annual conference at ◗ The legal recognition of same-sex The Conference will open on the Rotterdam (hosted by the Dutch nation- relationships – a whole day will be evening on Wednesday, 24 October al organisation COC) are well-devel- devoted to different aspects of this with a reception in Rotterdam City Hall. oped, and preliminary conference pro- ◗ The sharing of the results of suc- There will also be a boat trip with din- grammes and timetables have been cessful European level anti-discrimi- ner on the Maas river, a guided tour of published at the conference web-site, nation projects. Rotterdam, and a full programme of www.ilgaeurope2001.org. social and cultural events. There are also workshops on bisexuality The programme addresses a wide range and transgender issues. The Conference Scholarship applicants are reminded of issues, and should prove very stimu- will also deal with a number of proce- that the deadline for scholarship appli- lating for anyone interested in the dural issues, such as the approval of cations is 7 September. To find out who development of LGBT rights in Europe, the annual Work Programme, and the qualifies for scholarships, and to com- and in working for LGBT rights at the election of the Board. plete the scholarships/registration European level. The programme of form, visit the conference web-site, workshops covers three main areas: There will be two pre-conference events www.ilgaeurope2001.org. ◗ Keyelements of ILGA-Europe’s pro- on 24 October, a Trade Union conference, gramme of work at the European and a seminar on community-based work- Union ing, arranged by the Schorer Stichting.