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EU will require gay rights protections from new members
July 16, 2012
By Jacob Combs
The EUobserver reports that the European Commission has decided that respect for LGBT rights and protections will be required of new nations seeking member status in the political union. In its note announcing the decision, the Commission cited portions of the EU Treaty which ban discrimination against “minorities” and the European Charter on Fundamental Rights, which contains explicit nondiscrimination provisions protecting gays and lesbians.
The note was provided to EUobserver after a question regarding the matter arose through an interview of an Armenian cleric. Armenia, a devoutly religious country, has hopes of being an EU member, but ranks above only Moldova and Russia in terms of protections for LGBT people, according to one rights group.
Ulrike Lunacek, a co-chair of one of the European Parliament’s gay rights groups, said that although some countries have distinct cultural norms towards homosexuality, “accession of a country [into the EU] will not be possible if certain LGBTI rights are not put into law and into practice.” On the other hand, Lunacek acknowledged that the EU should take it upon itself to work with conservative countries to help change attitudes. ”That is what the EU also stands for: co-operation instead of confrontation, openness instead of fear.”
This EU policy could make some waves as the union mulls expanding to include countries with more conservative social mores. Obviously, respect for tradition is important, and some cultures will evolve more slowly than others on issues of LGBT equality. But the EU’s statement is an important one because it sends a simple message: to be part of one of the most powerful political unions in the country, you must uphold the equality of all your citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. That is a powerful statement that LGBT rights are inalienable and immutable.
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9 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Sagesse | July 16, 2012 at 8:33 am
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2.
Bob | July 16, 2012 at 9:26 am
But the EU’s statement is an important one because it sends a simple message: to be part of one of the most powerful political unions in the country, you must uphold the equality of all your citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. That is a powerful statement that LGBT rights are inalienable and immutable.
this is global evolution,,,,, arch of justice,,,,, bending,,,,,,
setting a standard and example for the U.S. to work towards achieving, and remembering the words of HIllary Clinton's historic speech
3.
karen in kalifornia | July 16, 2012 at 9:45 am
Fine and good, but what about some of the present members? Lativa, Lithariania, Estonia? Romania? Bulgaria? Hey, Italy? Not exactly gay friendly all around.
4.
davep | July 16, 2012 at 10:06 am
I was thinking the same thing. This announcement is great, but the omission of any mention of a similar requirement for existing EU members who have atrocious human rights records regarding LGBTs is pretty glaring. Anybody have any insight into this? Is it possible to know if the EU is intending to add such requirements for existing countries as a later step?
5.
Larry | July 16, 2012 at 10:38 am
I think that would be problematic. From my understanding, any amendments to EU policy have to be unanimous by all member states (some countries can also build opt-outs into parts of the treaties). For instance, see all the hubbub about debt/banks/austerity measures and how 1 country could ruin things continent wide. So for this to apply to current member states, those current states would have to approve of allowing it to apply to them first, which seems unlikely.
Oh, and typo. 3rd line from the bottom – "most powerful political unions in the COUNTRY"
6.
Mark B. | July 16, 2012 at 11:38 am
<img src="http://www.mynewcarquote.us/ikea/is.jpg"/> The thing is, new member would be who? Turkey? <img src="http://www.mynewcarquote.us/xbox/vi.jpg"/>
7.
Carpool Cookie | July 16, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Or if we suceed from the States, somehow.
8.
Jim H. | July 16, 2012 at 1:33 pm
Serbia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia, among others, are all in Europe and could eventually petition for membership.
9.
Mike in Baltimore | July 16, 2012 at 4:15 pm
It's supposed to be a shot across the bow of Turkey. If Turkey wants in, they will have to change internal law or policy (or so the EU thinks).
Thing is, Turkey is probably more advanced on human rights than many current members of the EU (Poland, for example), and Russia is VERY far behind in almost all aspects of economic and human rights.
Russia, for example, is VERY familiar with crony capitalism, probably as much or more than even Communist China. I don't see Russia even attempting to get into the EU for several decades, and then the EU would probably consider that application for a long, long time.
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