MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone

B9‑0167/2021

European Parliament resolution on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone

(2021/2557(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

– having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,

– having regard to Articles 2 and 5 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU),

– having regard to its resolution of 17 December 2015 on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s policy on the matter[1],

– having regard to the statements by the Council and the Commission of 9 March 2021 on the declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone,

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the Member States of the European Union are among the safest places on Earth for sexual minorities;

B. whereas, biologically speaking, both sexes are required for humans to procreate;

1. Condemns all forms of violence or discrimination against persons on the basis of their sex or sexual orientation;

2. Recalls that policies and legislation on marriage and parenthood depend exclusively on the sovereignty of Member States, and therefore urges the Commission and the Member States to rigidly observe national competences in the areas of health and family law;

3. Condemns all illegal speech calling for discrimination, hatred or violence against any person or persons;

4. Recalls the importance of the freedom of expression, as well as the freedom of citizens and their representatives to express their opinions in debates on same-sex marriage or gender theory; emphasises that peaceful political opposition to claims made by one side in such debates can in no way be equated with homophobia; regrets that proponents of certain views often seek to censor or criminalise their opponents rather than to debate ideas;

5. Condemns the damage done to sport, notably to women participating in certain sports, when transgender persons are allowed to compete against women;

6. Recalls the condemnation of the practice of surrogacy in paragraph 115 of its resolution of 17 December 2015 on the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s policy on the matter, on account of the fact that it undermines the human dignity of the woman since her body and its reproductive functions are used as a commodity, and considers that the practice of gestational surrogacy which involves reproductive exploitation and use of the human body for financial or other gain, in particular in the case of vulnerable women in developing countries, should be prohibited and treated as a matter of urgency in human rights instruments;

7. Expresses deep concern about the fact that the advancement of radical Islam in Europe and internationally has serious consequences for the rights and freedoms of sexual minorities;

8. Affirms that unassimilated mass immigration tends to import into Europe homophobic discourse and behaviour that has negative consequences on the living conditions of sexual minorities;

9. Reiterates that the European Union must be an area of freedom for all, and that includes the rights to non-discrimination and security; recalls that Member States’ respective policies and legislation on education, marriage, adoption or conception must be respected;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.