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Gays, lesbians, transsexuals harassed all over Europe, says EU

April 01, 2009 Edition 2

BRUSSELS: Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals face widespread harassment, bullying and discrimination across Europe, according to an EU report released yesterday.

That discrimination occurs "in all areas of social life", from schools to the workplace to health care centres, the report by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency said.

Agency Director Morten Kjaerum said it found gays and lesbians continue to face assault despite EU rules meant to guarantee equality.

"These are alarming signals in an EU that prides itself on its principles of equal treatment and non-discrimination," he said at the European Parliament.

The report said gay pride events were being obstructed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland and Romania. Meanwhile, politicians and religious leaders in Italy, Hungary, Malta, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have also rejected calls to improve the rights of gays and lesbians.

Kjaerum said, "very few incidents" of assault, hate speech by public figures or verbal attacks are reported to police.

The report said homophobic abuse is usually carried out by young men in groups, but is also persistent at work, in school or when trying to get medical care.

Kjaerum appealed to EU nations to improve equality legislation, to better record hate crimes "and to train police". The agency also recommended better awareness campaigns to promote diversity and fight discrimination.- Sapa-AP