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Macedonian Parliament Debates Proposed Anti-Gay Discrimination Law with Euro MP

■ Ulrike Lunacek MEP addressing Macedonian MPs today in Skopje. photo courtesy Greens/European Free Alliance

SKOPJE, February 22, 2010  –  Ulrike Lunacek, the MEP who is co-president of the European Parliament’s all-party ‘Intergroup’ for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights, today told Macedonian politicians that there was no opting-out from fundamental human rights as Macedonia continues the process of accession to the European Union

She was speaking to members of the Committee for Protection of Freedom and Rights of the Parliament of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia during a public debate on a proposed anti-discrimination law.

This proposed law falls short of European Union standards, notably for its omission of sexual orientation as a ground of discrimination.

The public debate attracted strong interest from national media and civil society representatives, and focused on the proposed anti-discrimination law in the context of the country’s accession to the European Union.

Ms. Lunacek (Greens/European Free Alliance – Austria) told the meeting that EU accession was conditional upon recognising sexual orientation as a ground of discrimination.

“Combating discrimination is part of the EU Treaties, and there is no opting out from fundamental rights,” she said after the debate.

“I was rather disappointed at the obvious lack of accuracy in the course of negotiations for visa liberalisation for Macedonian citizens — which a majority in the European Parliament supported.”

The recent agreement on visa liberalisation for Macedonian citizens implied a progress towards EU-level anti-discrimination provisions, which were subsequently scrapped from the draft law.

“MPs from the ruling party are afraid of same-sex marriage and adoption,” she continued.

“But I responded: ‘Fear is the worst possible guide in politics!’  Furthermore, both Albania and Serbia adopted broad anti-discrimination laws; why would the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia isolate itself?”

“This is not about ideology,” Ms. Lunacek pointed out.  “his is about prevention, and this is about protection – genuine equality needs everyone’s dedication.”

The draft law is due to be formally discussed by the Macedonia Parliament next month.  

Ms. Lunacek said that both the European Parliament and the European Commission will keep monitoring the protection of minorities in candidate countries as a condition for EU accession.

SEE ALSO

Euro Parliament Reaffirms Gay Rights Are Condition to Join the European Union.  The European Parliament today confirmed that candidate countries wishing to join the European Union have to provide genuine protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender minorities.  (UK Gay News, February 10, 2010)

Macedonia Backtracks on Protection from Discrimination for Gays and Transgender People.  The Government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia today announced a revised proposal for anti-discrimination legislation that will not refer to sexual orientation in the list of covered grounds.  (UK Gay News, January 29, 2010)

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