Parliamentary Assembly Assemblée parlementaire

Doc. 10832
1 February 2006

Freedom of assembly and expression for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons in member states

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Jurgens and others

In recent years, public authorities in a number of member states have banned, or tried to ban, peaceful rallies or demonstrations by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons and their supporters.

Members of government and other leading politicians and persons in public office have sometimes justified such bans, or have attacked the advocacy of rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, using language which may encourage intolerance and hatred.

There is therefore a need for the Assembly to take a lead in reaffirming clearly:

1.       the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons to freedom of assembly and to advocate their rights generally

2.       the special responsibility of members of government, other leading politicians, and public authorities at the national, regional and local levels to refrain from speech likely to produce the effect of legitimising discrimination or hatred based on intolerance.

To this end, the Assembly should compile a report on the right of freedom of assembly and expression for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, and draw up recommendations.

Signed ¹:

JURGENS, Erik, Netherlands, SOC
CEBECI, Erol Aslan, Turkey, EPP/CD
EÖRSI, Mátyás, Hungary, ALDE
GROSS, Andreas, Switzerland, SOC
LLOYD, Tony, United Kingdom, SOC
MARTY, Dick, Switzerland, ALDE
PLATVOET, Leo, Netherlands, UEL
RUZZANTE, Piero, Italy, SOC
SEVERIN, Adrian, Romania, SOC
Van den BRANDE, Luc, Belgium, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
       ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
       EDG: European Democratic Group
       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
       NR: not registered in a group