Resolution on the implementation of the Council’s LGBTI guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Council’s LGBTI Guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and other groups.

Deeply concerned at the reports of arbitrary detention and torture of men perceived to be gay in Chechnya, Members called on the authorities to end this campaign of persecution, to immediately release those who are still illegally detained, to ensure legal and physical protection for victims and the human rights defenders and journalists who have worked on this case. They also condemned all statements by the Chechen authorities that condone and incite violence against LGBTI people, including the statement by the Chechen Government spokesperson denying the existence of homosexuals in Chechnya and discrediting the reports.

The Chechen and Russian authorities are called upon to abide by domestic legislation and international commitments, to uphold the rule of law and universal human rights standards and to promote equality and non-discrimination, including for LGBTI people.

Given that Russia and its government carry the ultimate responsibility for investigating these acts, Parliament called, as a matter of urgency, for immediate, independent, objective and thorough investigations into the acts of imprisonment, torture and murder, in order to bring their intellectual and material authors to justice. They called on the EU delegation and the Member States’ embassies and consulates in Russia to actively monitor the investigation.

Members firmly underlined the importance of knowledge and implementation of the LGBTI Guidelines on the part of EU delegations and Member States’ representations. Members called for a more strategic and systematic implementation of the Guidelines while firmly underlining the importance of a continuous assessment of their implementation.

Lastly, Parliament stated that regional, cultural and religious value systems should not be used as an excuse to condone or engage in the discrimination, violence, torture, and/or detention of individuals or groups, including on the grounds of sexuality or gender identity. It also noted with concern, and as a step backwards, Russia’s adoption of new legislation on domestic violence, including that against children.