European Parliament votes for UN development strategy to include LGBTI rights

In 2000 the UN adopted the Millennium Declaration, specifying concrete targets to be reached by 2015: the Millennium Development Goals. The report that was adopted yesterday, defines the Parliament’s priorities after 2015.

According to the Parliament, development policy should pay particular attention to “the protection and respect of the rights of migrants and minorities, including LGBTI people and people living with HIV.” (par. 28)

Furthermore, the Parliament prioritises “universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.” (par. 28, 58)

The report comes at a time of an increase in anti-LGBTI legislation, most recently in Gambia. UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation have warned that such laws worsen public health and hamper development, as it can deter some of those most at risk of infection, among them men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, from testing and treatment out of fear of being deemed a criminal.

Attempts by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) to delete paragraphs on sexual and reproductive health and rights, were defeated by a wide margin.

Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup-designate on LGBTI rights, reacted: “Despite the shameful attempt by ECR to delete the paragraphs on sexual and reproductive health from this report, a solid majority spoke out to continue our fight for a development policy taking due account of SRHR and human rights.”

“Only by guaranteeing universal access to health care, in a non-discriminatory way, we can be successful in our fight against HIV/AIDS. I am glad the Parliament spoke out for this.”

Elly Schlein MEP, shadow rapporteur on the report and Member of the Intergroup-designate on LGBTI Rights, reacted: “It is great to see this report passing by such a wide majority, including the vote on sexual and reproductive health and rights.”

“It sends a strong signal to the Commission and the Member States what the EU should negotiate for on the UN level: a development policy anchored in human rights.