EUROPEAN UNION
Euro Intergroups Launch Written Declaration on Combating Gay Bullying
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Joint meeting of the Intergroups on Gay and Lesbian Right and Trade Unions
delivers on promises made last year |
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BRUSSELS, February 14, 2007 – The Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights and the Trades Unions Intergroup formally launched today a written declaration on combating homophobic bullying. The declaration (see below for links to text in all 22 EU languages) is in response to a report published by ILGA-Europe and IGLYO highlighting that over half of LGBT young people experience bullying in schools and other spheres of life. In a previous meeting launching the report, the MEPs present were galvanised into action promising that concrete measures would be taken at the European level to ensure homophobic bullying was put on the political agenda. The Intergroup has honoured its promise; its officers were joined by MEP John Bowis (UK/EPP-ED – UK Conservative) in the drafting of the declaration. Mr. Bowis was the keynote speaker at the IGLYO annual conference in Riga, Latvia, in December when he pledged that the European Parliament was commited to fighting discrimination everywhere. “Already before we’d officially launched the written declaration, 42 MEPs had signed the declaration, we still have to collect 351 signatures but this is already an excellent start, said Michael Cashman, co-author and president of the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights. “We’re hoping through the launch meeting to gather wide support for this declaration that seeks to continue the work done by Parliament. This declaration, we hope will join the resolutions passed by Parliament condemning homophobia inside and outside the EU,” he added. The European Parliament passed two resolutions in January and June 2006 on homophobia. However, the written declaration is much more specific, highlighting the day-to-day violence experienced by LGBT young people. “LGBT young people are completely invisible in policy making,” John Bowis who helped draft the written declaration and presented its utility at the joint meeting, confirmed. “We talk a lot about the socially excluded, and the social inclusion strategies quite poignantly highlights how at-risk young people are, but when it comes to showing the diversity of young people, we fall silent. “Yet LGBT young people are articulate and perceptive, as I found recently at their conference in Latvia and a visit to their Scottish branch. We need to help them to have a platform and to have their views heard,” Mr. Bowis pointed out. The launch of the written declaration took place in a joint meeting with the Trade Unions Intergroup; members of the European Trade Union Confederation also highlighted the work that was being undertaken by trade unions to combat discrimination in the workplace. Whether in the UK or in Sweden, best practices were showcased. “Trade Unions have an important role to play in the monitoring of equal chances and non-discrimination, which are basic values in Europe, and have indeed to be granted to all workers,” commented Csaba Ory (Hungary, Christian Democrats), president of the Trade Unions Intergroup for the second-half of the term. “Discrimination is the concern of all, as was shown in the meeting. Through the dissemination of best practices, the Trade Unions Intergroup as well as the trade unions themselves clearly show their commitment in the fight against discrimination.” ■ The Written Declaration in English
Other EU Languages Spanish - espańol Swedish - svenska LINK
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