By Anna Shepherd | Partnerships Manager
Published today, ILGA-Europe’s ‘Annual Review of the Human Right Situation of LGBTI People in Europe and Central Asia’ identifies how LGBTI people are being weaponized to erode the foundations of freedom and democracy across Europe. Governments are fuelling anti-LGBTI sentiment to push laws that restrict freedom of expression, association, and fair elections.
Rise in ‘foreign agent’ and ‘LGBT propaganda’ laws
Governments are increasingly adopting tactics similar to Russia’s, forcing NGOs to register as ‘foreign funded’ to undermine their legitimacy, restrict funding, and stifle human rights activism. Known as ‘foreign agent’ laws, these measures are framed as protecting families and traditional values while often specifically targeting LGBTI NGOs. Last year in Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, and Montenegro, proposed foreign agent laws posed a direct threat to civil society.
Such legislation is enacted with or in the wake of so-called ‘LGBT propaganda’ laws that seek to criminalise visibility of LGBTI people, ban content, silence activists and restrict freedom of assembly, which have been either discussed, proposed or adopted in seven countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Slovakia).
Rise in hate speech and violence
In this context, LGBTI-phobic hate speech, sexism and misogyny are increasingly normalised, often fuelled by public figures, including political and religious leaders and state institutions. This is in turn driving an unprecedented surge in violence as hate crimes have reached record levels across the region.
Increased barriers to trans healthcare
The normalisation of hate is also providing justification for the blocking of healthcare for trans people. Andorra, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, and the UK have all put in place new barriers to care. Efforts to restrict trans healthcare for minors have emerged in Austria, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and the UK, putting trans lives further at risk.
Europe closing its doors to LGBTI people fleeing persecution
As an increasing number of governments crack down, LGBTI people are being forced to flee—but Europe is closing its doors. Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey are intensifying persecution, and Turkmenistan is entrapping and torturing LGBTI individuals. Yet, many European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland and the UK, are denying asylum claims based on outdated, arbitrary assessments, with some officials rejecting applicants for not ‘seeming LGBTI enough.’
According to ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Chaber: “This report confirms what many of us have feared—we are entering a new era where LGBTI people have become the testing ground for laws that erode democracy itself. Across Europe and Central Asia, governments are using anti-LGBTI rhetoric to justify restrictions on free speech, civil society, and fair elections. What begins as an attack on LGBTI rights rapidly grows into a wider assault on the rights and freedoms of all individuals in society. This is not just an LGBTI issue; it is a crisis for human rights and democracy as a whole.”
Download a full analysis of the trends in LGBTI rights over the past year here.
Read the full ILGA-Europe’s Annual Review here.
In this context, the impact of supporters and allies is felt now more than ever. Please consider making a donation today to help continue the vital work to counter growing attacks, not only on LGBTI communities but on the cornerstones of freedom and democracy.
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By Anna Shepherd | Partnerships Manager
By Anna Shepherd | Partnerships Manager
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