HRC62 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on SOGI
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
62nd session
Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on SOGI
18 June 2026
EU statement
Mr. President,
The European Union thanks the Independent Expert for his timely presentation.
We continue to strongly oppose and step up action to combat all forms of discrimination with a specific attention to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. The EU reaffirms its strong commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by all LGBTI persons.
We are deeply concerned by the findings of your report highlighting that violence and discrimination against lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women are widespread and persistent across all regions. According to your report, LBQ women who seek to build and sustain lives outside narrow gender and reproductive roles are often harassed and threatened with or subjected to physical and sexual violence. You also underscore the extremely harmful practice of using sexual violence, including rape, as a “corrective measure” allegedly intended to “cure” LBQ women.
We strongly condemn all forms of violence, discrimination, and harassment against LGBTI persons, including discriminatory laws, policies and practices, as well as hate speech and hate crimes. We also call for a worldwide end to, and prevention of, any form of violence against LGBTI persons.
In the EU we are taking action to ensure equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI persons. In October 2025, the Commission adopted the “LGBTIQ+ equality strategy 2026-2030” to ensure equality for all - regardless of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity - in all policy areas. The strategy is part of the EU’s effort to build a Union where diversity is part of our collective culture, where all people can be themselves without risk of discrimination, exclusion or violence.
Independent Expert,
Could you highlight good practices that prevent LBQ women – as described in your report - from “falling between different rights frameworks” in areas such as healthcare, asylum, labour protections and gender-based violence services?
Thank you.