LGBT Rights are Human Rights: AI’s support to freedom of expression and assembly in Europe Veronica Scognamiglio European Campaign Coordinator on Discrimination Amnesty International EU Office

Work on LGBT Rights as AI priority in Europe  LGBT Rights are one of the priority themes under our campaign against discrimination in Europe  Focus:  Support to Pride events at risk  Counteract homophobic and transphobic policies and practices  Support to measures advancing LGBT Rights  Support to LGBT HRDs and anti-discrimination legislation in the Balkans  Reactive work against homophobic and transphobic violence and hate speech Support to Prides, LGBT organisations / HRDs / activists and fight against homophobic and transphobic policies and practices are particularly important to help fulfill freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of assembly for LGBT community

Support to Pride events  Aim: ensure that Pride events take place safely and peacefully and participants fully enjoy their right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly  Different kinds of support:  Participation of AI members to Prides, lobbying and media work, participation of AI high-level representatives and politicians : Baltic Pride (8 May) and Belgrade Pride (TBC)  Lobbying, media work and participation of AI high-level representatives, politicians. E.g. Reacting against ban to Chisinau and Nikolaev Prides, Sofia Pride in 2009  Support at national level by AI Sections. E.g. Bratislava Pride, Prague Pride

Baltic Pride 2010, Vilnius, Lithuania  AI supports Pride in the region since 2007 (previous editions in Riga, Latvia). It became Baltic Pride in 2009, i.e. the pride is rotating each year from one country to another (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia)  Lobbying and campaigning support to Pride organisers, especially to LGL (Lithuania Gay League)  70 AI members from 22 European countries participating in the march  Monitoring of the march and media work  Challenging : several attempts to cancel the Pride, one just few days before the march  A success : march took place peacefully, police protection ensured, Pride organisers and local participants felt empowered. Tot. About 500 participants, mostly from the Baltic countries

Baltic Pride 2010 (cont.)  Why the Baltic Pride?  Situation in the region: widespread homophobia, homophobic policies and practices (e.g. Law on public information detrimental to minors in Lithuania; EC anti-discrimination truck tour banned from Vilnius in 2007)  History of Prides at risk : Riga Pride banned in 2006 and risked to be banned again in 2009, a Pride never took place in Vinlius before  Support to LGBT organisations in the region – strengthened partnership with Mozaika (Latvia LGBT organisation) and new cooperation with LGL

Baltic Pride 2010 (cont.)  Why was successful?  Work started well in advance (since January)  Combination of international solidarity / pressure (EU Ambassadors, MEPs, AI, ILGA-Europe). AI on-line campaign: more than 22,000 signatures in 1 month  LGBT organisations from Baltic countries working closely together – our support in close consultation with them, we sit in the rear

Baltic Pride 2010: us... Photos: © Magda Maxi Jakab, AI Hungary

Baltic Pride 2010:...and them Photos:1-3 (from top left) © Magda Maxi Jakab, AI Hungary Photos 4: Veronica Scognamiglio, AI EU Office

Homophobic law in Lithuania  Law on public information detrimental to minors adopted by Lithuanian parliament in July 2009: prohibiting information which “agitates” for homosexual, bisexual and polygamous relationships  Homosexuality and bisexuality on same ground as portrayal of violence, the display of a dead or cruelly mutilated body, and information that arouses fear, horror or encourages self-mutilation or suicide → Violation of right to non-discrimination, right to information and right to education  AI campaigning and lobbying against the law: success with President putting veto, but veto overcome by the parliament  Reaction also by other NGOs, EU Institutions (e.g. European Parliament resolution in September), Council of Europe → President of Lithuania asked for a review of the law

Homophobic law in Lithuania (cont.)  Law reviewed in December 2009: reference to homosexuality and bisexuality disappear (success), BUT:  Public information promoting concepts of family different from the one in LT Constitution and Civil Code is forbidden → Concern for impact on work of LGBT activists, e.g. Claiming rights for same- sex couples  Proof: 53 Lithuanian Mps tried to get the Baltic Pride banned on the ground of this new law (entered into force on 1 st March). Attempt dismissed, but it proves doubts on the purpose of the law and the homophobic atmosphere in the country  Considering now way forward (President says that the reviewed law is fine...)

Support to LGBT HRDs and activists  Support to LGBT Human Rights Defenders, organisations and activists:  Baltic and Belgrade Prides  Campaigning against the closing of LGBT organisations, e.g. Black Pink Triangle – Izmir (Turkey) → success  Support to anti-discrimination legislation in the context of accession process and counteract homophobic policies and practices  Recent anti-discrimination law in Macedonia: lobbying on government to ask for review as it excludes sexual orientation

Cooperation with LGBT organisations  AI added value : 50 years fighting for HRs, visibility, help spreading the message that LGBT Rights are Human Rights  But to have impact, cooperation with LGBT organisations is key:  LGBT organisations are the expert and know better what are the issues at stake, and what is needed to achieve progress / success  At European level: cooperation with ILGA-Europe  At national level: AI sections working together with local LGBT organisations

For more information… Veronica Scognamiglio European Campaign Coordinator on Discrimination Amnesty International EU Office Thanks for your attention!!!