EU Presidency's draft declaration in the UN on the decriminalisation of homosexuality

4.12.2008

ORAL QUESTION H-1009/08
for Question Time at the part-session in January 2009
pursuant to Rule 109 of the Rules of Procedure
by Dimitrios Papadimoulis
to the Council

On 10 December 2008, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the French Presidency of the Council proposes to table in the UN, on behalf of the European Union, a draft declaration calling on all governments worldwide to decriminalise homosexuality. The Vatican's observer to the UN has already stated that his country will oppose the declaration.

 

Bearing in mind the European Parliament's resolution (P6_TA(2007)0167) on homophobia in Europe, which calls for worldwide decriminalisation of homosexuality and full implementation of Community anti-discrimination legislation, whilst condemning homophobic phenomena in the Member States, will the Council say which countries worldwide criminalise homosexuality? What action will it take further to the French Presidency's declaration? What measures will it take to implement the European Parliament's resolution in full? Does it consider that, in examining applications for asylum, account should be taken of whether applicants are persecuted in their country of origin because of their sexual orientation?

 

 

Tabled: 04.12.2008

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