European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights hearing on LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) rights in the world

On 30 June 2011, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights held ahearing on LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex) rights in the world. Members of the European Parliament, European Parliament staff, European Commission staff, ambassadors and members of the public heard from human rights defenders, civil society and high-level EU civil servants about the human rights of LGBTI people worldwide.

Andrzej Grzyb MEP: Introduction from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Andrzej Grzyb MEP, acting Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights opened the event.

Ulrike Lunacek MEP: Introduction from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, presented the hearing and explained why it was necessary to look at the rights of LGBTI people globally, citing work done recently by the European Parliament

Naome Ruzindana: Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi
Naome Ruzindana from Rwanda presented recent developments for LGBTI people in eastern Africa, and notably Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi (including how these countries influenced each other).

The decriminalisation of homosexuality in India
A movie produced by the International AIDS Alliance showcased interviews with Indian activists commenting on the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2009

Mauro Cabral: Trans and intersex rights from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Trans and intersex rights in the world
Argentinean activist Mauro Cabral explained the issues brought forward by a growing global movement for the rights of trans(gender) and intersex people, including trans murders and sterilisation.

Riina Kionka: The role of the EU from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

The role of the EU
Riina Kionka is Head of Division for Human Rights Policy Guidelines in the EU’s External Action Service, and outlined positive action by the EU in several domains: in the EU legal and policy framework, the EU’s bilateral relationships, at the United Nations, and at regional and local level.

Jean-Louis Ville: The European Commission from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

The European Commission
Responsible for Governance, Democracy, Gender and Human Rights at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation, Jean-Louis Ville outlined action and calls for funding at the European Commission that were likely to help LGBTI civil society in the Global South

Questions and answers

Questions and answers from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs: Conclusion from LGBT Intergroup on Vimeo.

Ulrike Lunacek and Michael Cashman MEPs: Conclusion