Parliamentary question - P-008430/2016Parliamentary question
P-008430/2016

VP/HR — Protection of LGBTI people in Morocco

Question for written answer P-008430-16
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Daniele Viotti (S&D) , Ulrike Lunacek (Verts/ALE) , Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE) , Ian Duncan (ECR) , Tanja Fajon (S&D) , Malin Björk (GUE/NGL)

On 27 October 2016, two teenage girls were imprisoned in Marrakesh on charges of homosexuality. A family member had seen them kissing and reported them to the police.

The girls now risk a three-year prison sentence under Article 489 of the Moroccan penal code, which criminalises ‘lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex’.

1. Has the EU delegation to Morocco undertaken specific action on this case in line with the 2013 EU LGBTI Guidelines, or is it planning to do so, for instance by observing the court hearings and visiting the prison?

2. Considering that respect for human rights is an essential element of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EU and Morocco, has the Commission considered starting the article 90 procedure for failure to fulfil the obligations entered into under the Agreement?

3. What does the VP/HR intend to do in order to protect the human rights of LGBTI people in Morocco, and in particular have Article 489 removed from the penal code?