EP Resolutions on the Commission reports on Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia

The European Parliament debated and adopted resolutions on the Commission reports on Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia at the last week’s session. In every report, there is substantial language on LGBTIQ+ issues. Key concerns per country include:

Albania

Fundamental rights

• Calls for progress to be made in adopting measures to effectively protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all people… [including] LGBTQI+ persons;
• Calls on the authorities to step up efforts to establish solid anti-discrimination case law;
• urges the authorities to ensure the effective prevention and prosecution of hate speech and hate crimes;
• Notes that Albania’s 2016-2020 National Action Plan for LGBTI Issues has expired and calls on the government to develop a new action plan through a transparent and inclusive consultation with civil society and to ensure appropriate resources are assigned for its implementation;
• Calls on the Albanian authorities to foster social acceptance of LGBTQI+ persons, who still regularly experience discrimination and hate speech;
• Welcomes the decision to eliminate ‘conversion therapy’, which is unacceptable, thereby strengthening the right to gender identity and gender expression.

Socio-economic reforms

• Encourages the Albanian Government to prioritise measures aimed at mitigating the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular consideration for marginalised and vulnerable groups such as… LGBTQI+ community, while taking further steps to improve diversification, competitiveness and digitalisation, enhance the representativeness of the social dialogue and tackle the widespread informal economy.

The full resolution text can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3dfzsGQ.

Kosovo

Respect of fundamental freedoms and human rights

• Welcomes the progress on the protection of LGBTI rights at the legislative and policy level;
• Notes the need for full implementation of the current anti-discrimination framework,
• Calls for the proper investigation of cases of hate crime against LGBTI persons;
• Calls on the government to include same-sex partnerships in the draft Civil Code, as guaranteed by the country’s Constitution;
• Welcomes the progress on the protection of LGBTI rights at the legislative and policy level;
• Notes the need for full implementation of the current anti-discrimination framework;
• Calls for the proper investigation of cases of hate crime against LGBTI persons;
• Calls on the government to include same-sex partnerships in the draft Civil Code, as guaranteed by the country’s Constitution.

The full resolution text can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3czIak7.

North Macedonia

Fundamental rights

• Expresses its support for the efforts to ensure inclusive policies to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all citizens, with special attention to… LGBTQI+ persons;
• Calls on the authorities to mitigate a disproportionately detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-majority communities, and to step up the fight against inequality;
• Notes with concern the widespread hate speech, including on social media, particularly towards… LGBTI+ persons and other vulnerable groups;
• Calls for the effective implementation of the relevant regulatory framework, ensuring a clear distinction between free public debate and hate speech, defamation or incitement to violence, stepping up prosecution capacities for protection from hate crimes, hate speech and gender-based violence;
• Is concerned about cases of police brutality against vulnerable communities;
• Welcomes positive steps towards institutional support for the advancement of the human rights of LGBTI+ persons, but notes that discrimination of the LGBTI+ community remains a prevalent problem, and that implementation of the regulatory framework by state institutions should be prioritised;
• Calls for increased action to fight hate speech and hate crimes against LGBTI+ persons, encourage reporting of these crimes and stop impunity;
• Welcomes the renewed adoption of anti-discrimination legislation by all political parties, and welcomes the transparent process of appointment of the Commission for Protection from Discrimination, ensuring protection and inclusion of all marginalised groups;
• Encourages the Parliament to adopt legislation which will enable a simplified, transparent and accessible procedure for legal gender recognition based on self-determination, and prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity;
• Notes the organisation of the first ever Skopje Pride in June 2019.

The full resolution text can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/39qQAbA.

Serbia

• Urges Serbia to deliver convincing results, including a sustainable track record with effective investigations in areas of concern such as the judiciary, [and] freedom of expression;
• Underlines the need to continue protecting LGBTI rights;
• Calls for more adequate and effective responses from the authorities to hate speech and hate-motivated crimes;
• Welcomes the peaceful conduct of two pride parades in 2019;
• Stresses the importance for all institutions of supporting the preparation of EuroPride 2022 and ensuring the safety of all participants;
• Welcomes the government’s initiative to move forward with the law on same-sex unions and changes of name and gender of transgender persons in accordance with the relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights;
• Calls on the government to create a safe environment for LGBTI persons and promote a culture of tolerance towards them;
• Urges Serbia to improve access to healthcare services for people with disabilities, people living with HIV, children and adults who use drugs, sex workers, LGBTI persons… particularly in view of the ongoing pandemic and problems in the health sector.

The full resolution text can be downloaded here: https://bit.ly/3ucI1cl.