ILGA Europe is pressing the new EU President for further reforms in Turkey
ILGA Europe is asking the Presidency of Netherlands to ensure changes in the Turkish Penal Code in order to amend articles that discriminate against LGBT people
The Netherlands took over the EU Presidency from Ireland starting from July 1, 2004. Dutch Presidency stated that one of the most important priorities in this time period would be the candidacy of Turkey.
International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe (ILGA-Europe) welcomed the new president but called for issues surrounding human rights and acceptance of LGBT people in the accession countries including Turkey. One of the issues ILGA asked the Presidency of Netherlands is to ensure the changes in the Turkish Penal Code in order to amend articles that discriminate against LGBT people.
Below is the part referring to Turkey in the Memorandum to the Dutch Presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2004. To see the full report, please see ILGA’s web site:
PART 3. ENLARGEMENT
At the Copenhagen EU Summit in December 2002 the accession of new member states was planned by the European Union. On 1 May 2004 ten new member states have join the European Union. The Dutch presidency will have to deal with new candidates: Bulgaria, and Romania will accede in 2007, Turkey accession negotiations will take place during the December summit and Croatia is applying for membership. From an LGBT point of view, the readiness for accession depends on two criteria: the elimination of all significant discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the penal code; and the transposition into national legislation of the EU’s anti-discrimination acquis.
The first criterion has been met by most accession countries. Progress with meeting the second criteria is much more limited. However, both these criteria are binding requirements for the accession of all countries.
ILGA-Europe urges the Dutch Presidency to place pressure on all accession countries to fully comply with the EU’s accession criteria; and to closely monitor the transposition process. The Dutch Presidency should ensure that any attempts by a particular country to dilute the effectiveness of the anti-discrimination legislation are nullified.
Furthermore, as the respect of principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is a requirement for the application of a new member state, ILGA-Europe calls on the Dutch Presidency to monitor the respect of human rights with regard to sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity.
The Council will take the decision in December 2004 on the accession of Turkey to the EU. Before this date, the Presidency is asked to ensure changes in the Turkish Penal Code in order to amend articles that discriminate against LGBT people.
The Netherlands took over the EU Presidency from Ireland starting from July 1, 2004. Dutch Presidency stated that one of the most important priorities in this time period would be the candidacy of Turkey.
International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe (ILGA-Europe) welcomed the new president but called for issues surrounding human rights and acceptance of LGBT people in the accession countries including Turkey. One of the issues ILGA asked the Presidency of Netherlands is to ensure the changes in the Turkish Penal Code in order to amend articles that discriminate against LGBT people.
Below is the part referring to Turkey in the Memorandum to the Dutch Presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2004. To see the full report, please see ILGA’s web site:
PART 3. ENLARGEMENT
At the Copenhagen EU Summit in December 2002 the accession of new member states was planned by the European Union. On 1 May 2004 ten new member states have join the European Union. The Dutch presidency will have to deal with new candidates: Bulgaria, and Romania will accede in 2007, Turkey accession negotiations will take place during the December summit and Croatia is applying for membership. From an LGBT point of view, the readiness for accession depends on two criteria: the elimination of all significant discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the penal code; and the transposition into national legislation of the EU’s anti-discrimination acquis.
The first criterion has been met by most accession countries. Progress with meeting the second criteria is much more limited. However, both these criteria are binding requirements for the accession of all countries.
ILGA-Europe urges the Dutch Presidency to place pressure on all accession countries to fully comply with the EU’s accession criteria; and to closely monitor the transposition process. The Dutch Presidency should ensure that any attempts by a particular country to dilute the effectiveness of the anti-discrimination legislation are nullified.
Furthermore, as the respect of principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is a requirement for the application of a new member state, ILGA-Europe calls on the Dutch Presidency to monitor the respect of human rights with regard to sexual orientation, gender expression and gender identity.
The Council will take the decision in December 2004 on the accession of Turkey to the EU. Before this date, the Presidency is asked to ensure changes in the Turkish Penal Code in order to amend articles that discriminate against LGBT people.
