COC's International policy officer, Alexander Hammelburg, gave a speech on September 25 before the European Parliament, in which he spoke about the collective European foreign affairs policy to improve the human rights of the global LGBTI community.

EU has much room to improve

COC was invited by the European subcommittee for human rights (DROI) to present the results of their research into the effectiveness of the EU's foreign affairs policy in improving the protection LGBTI rights around the world.

COC published its research last year, revealing that the European Union has a lot to improve regarding its foreign affairs policy. In 2013, all member states of the EU committed to the EU LGBTI Guidelines. These guidelines prescribe what the EU delegations and ambassadors of all EU member states have to do globally to support local LGBTI movements.

The research indicates that only a third of all EU delegations work on LGBTI human rights – according to COC, this is far too little.

"Our research shows that the guidelines are currently being applied irregularly by EU delegations and embassies of EU Member States. Implementation of the guidelines also depends strongly on the knowledge and interest of individual ambassadors, while it should be a permanent part of daily contact with other countries," Hammelburg said in his speech. "Activists expect the EU to be more dedicated to protecting LHBTI's rights and complying with its commitments. The full implementation of the EU LGBTI Guidelines is the only way to meet those expectations."

The call of COC to the European Parliament and the European External Action Service (EEAS) is therefore clear: improve the implementation of the EU LGBTI Guidelines.

Discussion needed

Immediately after publishing the results of the COC investigation at the end of 2016, COC, together with ILGA-Europe, called on EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to dramatically improve its efforts. Several times, the organisations have attempted to discuss the recommendations, but to their great disappointment, there has been little response from Brussels.

"Now it is up to the European Parliament and EU member states to further encourage Mogherini to increase efforts of systematic support for local LHBTI movements," Hammelburg says.

Together, COC and ILGA-Europe will continue to advocate in Brussels for the advancement and protection of LGBTI human rights in European foreign policy.

Here you can find the statement of COC's International Policy Officer Alexander Hammelburg. It starts at 1:02:21.

Source: COC NL