EU Ground-breaking LGBTI Policy

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU

EU foreign affairs ministers adopt ground-breaking global LGBTI policy

Today the EU’s 27 foreign affairs ministers adopted a ground-breaking global policy. The LGBTI Guidelines instruct EU diplomats around the globe to defend the human rights of LGBTI people.

The Council of the European Union*, the body that represents the 27 national governments in the EU, had already adopted a non-binding toolkit to promote LGBT people’s human rights in June 2010...

The Guidelines will be binding. The EU’s diplomatic efforts will revolve around four priorities:

1. Eliminate discriminatory laws and policies, including the death penalty
2. Promote equality and non-discrimination at work, in healthcare and in education
3. Combat state or individual violence against LGBTI persons
4. Support and protect human rights defenders

Excellent news.