ILGA-Europe, an umbrella organisation of LGBTI NGOs, including Cyprus’ Accept LGBTI, has met new MEPs as it steps up its ComeOur4EU campaign.
The NGO notes that one in four newly elected MEPs are committed to work on LGBTI equality.
In a series of tweets, the NGO says that 215 of the elected MEPs had signed its Comeout4EU pledge.
“It starts now! You should first rebuild @LGBTIintergroup, to make it the largest intergroup at the @Europarl_EN again and ensure solid, strategic and meaningful collaboration across parties over the next five years!” said ILGA Europe executive director Evelyne Paradis.
Before the European parliament elections, ILGA Europe had urged MEP candidates, politicians, the media and those in the public eye not only to avoid engaging in, or amplifying, rhetoric that may incite discrimination, prejudice or hatred on any grounds, but also to actively counter it.
“At a time when hate speech and divisive rhetoric cause a worrying backlash and backsliding for all human rights across Europe, ILGA-Europe considers it crucial to unite with a broad and diverse alliance of organisations to take a clear stand against hate speech and divisive rhetoric targeting any community.” commented ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director Evelyne Paradis.
It also asked MEP candidates to sign its ComeOut pledge publicly, committing them to:
- Strengthening protection in EU law and policy
- Ensuring an enabling environment for LGBTI human rights defenders
- Ensuring EU leadership on LGBTI rights
- Harnessing the power of their position
- Being an ally to under-represented voices
Edited by Bouli Hadjioannou
