On 10 December 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The Declaration was drafted in very general terms and aimed to equip the countries with a universal human rights framework without references to particular groups. 63 years later international and European institutions acknowledge that the principles of the Declaration are applicable to all human beings - including LGBTI people. Nevertheless, while LGBTI peoples’ human rights are increasingly being recognised, there is still need for concrete and meaningful actions to fight all forms of discrimination against LGBTI people.

A number of prominent international and European politicians have made strong statements putting LGBTI issues firmly on the human rights agenda. One of the champions of human rights for LGBTI people in Europe is Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The Commissioner has consistently reminded Member States of their obligation to respect the human rights of LGBTI people. There is some partial progress, but far too many European countries are not taking the recommendations on board, and far too many LGBTI people still face grave discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Earlier this year, the Commissioner of Human Rights published the first ever comprehensive study on situation for LGBT people in all countries of the Council of Europe. The report clearly demonstrates that LGBT people continue to be subjected to discrimination in their everyday lives and those attitudes are being based on ‘outdated and incorrect information’ about sexual orientation and gender identity. Member States of the Council of Europe were given very clear recommendations on how to confront this – and ILGA-Europe hopes that the report along with the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers Recommendations adopted in March 2010 and a number of the judgements by the European Court of Human Rights, will provide European countries with a solid road map towards full equality and respect of LGBTI people’s human rights.

ILGA-Europe would like to use the occasion of the International Human Rights Day 2011 to call for more a proactive approach and leadership to fully eliminate all forms of discrimination against LGBTI people in Europe and throughout the world. The human rights of LGBTI people are indivisible part of universal human rights and deserve the full attention of governments.

We have the tools – now we need meaningful action.

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Find more information about the report from the Council of Europe's Commissioner of Human Rights here

See the statement video from the International Human Rights Day 2010