Will Frattini and the Commission Take Notice?
 

STRASBOURG, January 18, 2006  –  Gays and lesbians throughout the European Union were handed considerable encouragement today as Members of the European Parliament adopted by a substantial majority the joint resolution on ‘Homophobia in Europe’ (see below for link to final wording).  The resolution was tabled jointly by the five major political groups.

MEPs voted 469 to 149 in favour of the resolution – and there were 41 abstentions (first reports indicated that 469 had voted in favour).

The officers of the Intergroup on Lesbian and Gay Rights consider the adopted resolution an important step in the fight against homophobia.

Earlier this week, the European Parliament debated the subject in plenary, following a Commission Statement by Commissioner Frattini.  Many MEPs criticised Mr. Frattini and the Commission for lack of action.

But today’s vote is seen as a ‘wake-up’ call to Brussels.

“I am proud to see that the European Parliament is ready to stamp out the homophobia in Europe,” said Intergroup vice-president Raül Romeva i Rueda (Spain – Greens/EFA) after the vote.  

“The resolution is a strong sign of the EP’s power to work together and raise current and important issues to the EU’s political agenda.

“The question is if commissioner Frattini and the Council will act to defend LGBT-persons’ human rights,” he asked?

Michael Cashman (United Kingdom – PES), the president of the Intergroup, also hit out at the commissioners.

“In October 2004 President Barroso promised that his Commission would bring forward a directive to combat discrimination in other areas within the EU's competences,” the West Midlands MEP pointed out.

“In two years there has been no proposal and no action.  When will we receive this directive, he asked?

“Even in the UK, where enormous advances have been made, a young man was kicked to death just before Christmas for no other reason than he was homosexual,” he continued.  “If the EU does nothing, it is party to every single blow that was rained upon that individual, and other men like him – and on gay women across the EU,”

Sophie in ‘t Veld (the Netherlands – ALDE), vice president of the Intergroup, said that fundamental rights are inalienable and universal for all citizens of the European Union/

“It is up to the Member States to ensure proper implementation.  At such times of growing intolerance, I am extremely pleased that the European Parliament has given such a strong and clear signal that we will not acquiesce to a climate of hatred and intolerance.

“The cross-party Intergroup will continue to promote equality and diversity and to ensure that these rights remain at the forefront of the Parliamentary agenda,” she pledged.

“The steering group officers look forward to the planned meeting with commissioner Frattini on February 2 and hope that we then receive answers to the questions we raised in the EP debate,” she concluded.

The final resolution and how the MEPs voted