EU Parliament calls for Stronger Trans Rights Worldwide

Transgender Europe
Original Article:  bit.ly/1LamMiP

Transgender Europe welcomes the European Parliament Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World for the year 2013, which was adopted on February 12, 2015.

The report pays particular attention to human rights violations on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, and calls for increased efforts to combat the violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The EU Parliament calls upon the Commission and WHO to act towards for ending listing of trans identities as mental illnesses. States should be encouraged to introduce quick, transparent and accessible legal gender recognition procedures that are based on the person’s self-determination as well as introducing laws combating transphobic hate crime and discrimination. Sterilisation requirements should be treated and persecuted as a breach of the right to bodily integrity and of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“We are very happy about the vocal support for trans people in this report. The Parliament sends a clear message that human rights are universal, indivisible, and apply equally to transgender people.” comments Richard Köhler, TGEU Senior Policy Officer.

“The LGBT Guidelines are a binding and powerful tool to support issues trans people face. The European External Action Service and the European Commission should use all tools at hand, the Guidelines, Human Rights Dialogues and International forums, to the fullest extent to advocate for the rights and equality of trans people.” says Köhler further.

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