EU Enlargement Review 2025

ILGA-Europe together with ERA – the LGBTI Rights Association for the Western Balkans and Turkey, presents this LGBTI Enlargement Review 2025 assessing gaps in legislation and policy for the protection and advancement of the human rights of LGBTI people in the enlargement countries, and identifying priorities.

ILGA-Europe and ERA launched our joint LGBTI Enlargement Review assessing gaps in legislation and policy for the human rights of LGBTI people in the enlargement countries, and identifying priorities for EU membership.

The review will feed into the European Commission’s annual Enlargement Progress reports for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

The annual enlargement report process is a key moment to remind governments of the criteria that need to be met, and to point out where advancement on rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights are needed to advance the process. 

It is especially important that the EU insists that the protection of LGBTI people’s human rights are a core part of the process, as accession countries are often falling behind the requirements. 

See also

News

Proposed new Civil Code will distance Ukraine from EU Accession

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News

Statement: Alarming escalation in repression of LGBTI activists and organisations in Turkey

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Joint open letter on new Constitutional amendments adopted in Slovakia

Along with 56 civil society organisations, we have co-signed a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath […]
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Enes Hocaoğulları defends free expression as trial highlights crackdown on human rights in Turkey

On 8 September, the courtroom in Ankara was filled to capacity. Representatives from civil society, political parties, and parliamentarians came to observe the trial of […]
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Blog

Turkey’s war on free expression and the courage of Enes Hocaoğulları

By jailing a youth delegate for speaking at the Council of Europe about police violence, Turkish authorities have shown how far they will go to […]
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Blog

The ILGA-Europe Turkey Pride Monitor

For three years now, ILGA-Europe has been closely following the escalating repression of LGBTI Pride events in Turkey. Each summer, courageous activists across the country […]
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News

EU Commission reverses course on anti-discrimination directive

The European Commission has revived its draft Equal Treatment Directive after public outcry and a 33,000-signature petition, reopening the path to stronger EU-wide anti-discrimination protections. […]
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Joint statement as EU Commission boosts funding to strengthen rights, equality, and democracy

Civil society organisations welcome the European Commission’s proposal to more than double the CERV+ budget within the new seven-year EU financial framework.  As civil society […]
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Joint letter: Businesses must resist pushback against DEIA policies

Today, 8 equality organisations sent letters to the European Commission and to business leaders calling on European companies to resist pushback against diversity and inclusion […]
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News

Open letter to EU: Safeguarding Civil Society

A coalition of civil society organisations sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Piotr Serafin expressing concerns about restrictive […]
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Together in Pride, Together in Protest

Joint Statement by the European Trade Union Confederation and ILGA-Europe The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and ILGA-Europe stand united in defending the rights and […]
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News

Budapest Pride Could Have Been Legal and Safe. The European Commission Chose Otherwise.

By refusing to act, the European Commission enabled the ban and left activists alone to defend fundamental rights. A joint declaration by ILGA-Europe, Forbidden Colours, […]
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Press Release

Press release: Turkey poised to further roll back LGBTI rights amid ongoing democratic crackdown

As democracy continues to come under attack in Turkey, a draft law moving through parliament threatens to impose harsh criminal measures targeting LGBTI people A […]
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News

What the CJEU AG’s Opinion in the infringement case against Hungary means for LGBTI equality in the EU

The CJEU Advocate General has just delivered her Opinion in the Commission v Hungary “EU values” infringement case (C-769/22) – a major CJEU case on […]
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Blog

Banning Pride is a fundamental threat to democracy: Why the EU cannot look away from Hungary

As Hungary becomes the first EU country to ban and criminalise a Pride march, the European Commission’s failure to respond signals a deeper crisis for […]
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Press Release

Press release: UK joins Hungary and Georgia With the Biggest Drops on Annual LGBTI Rights Ranking

The UK has dropped six places in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map, as Hungary and Georgia also register steep falls following anti-LGBTI legislation. The data highlights how […]
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Blog

The real life consequences of the EU’s equality u-turn

Seventeen years ago, the EU promised to protect people from discrimination in everyday life, not just at work. Now, that promise is being rolled back. […]
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News

Joint input for the European Democracy Shield

ILGA-Europe has joined a statement from civil society organisations in support of the European Democracy Shield. Coordinated by the European Partnership for Democracy, the statement […]
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Blog

Freedom to Protest Is Under Attack – Why It Matters for Everyone

When states suppress public protests, they don’t just target activists, they erode the rights of all citizens. The latest crackdowns in Hungary, Turkey, and beyond […]
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Campaign

Petition to safeguard the EU Directive on anti-discrimination

In a move that has raised significant concerns among human rights organisations, the European Commission has announced it plans to withdraw the proposed Horizontal Equal […]
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News

ILGA-Europe Statement: Turkey is detaining LGBTI+ activists and journalists, and targeting basic rights

The Turkish government has intensified its repression of LGBTI+ human rights defenders, detaining activists and introducing draconian laws that further restrict legal gender recognition, trans […]
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News

Equality betrayed: Commission unilaterally gives up on anti-discrimination law

European Civil Society condemns the European Commission’s announcement to withdraw the proposed Directive on anti-discrimination as a betrayal of fundamental rights at a critical moment […]
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News

New regulations pose greater risks to trans people in Turkey

New changes from the Turkish authorities to the accessibility of hormones for trans people further threaten health and lives On 20 November, the Turkish Medicines […]
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Podcast

The Frontline: LGBTI activism: Courage to seek new strategies

This summer in Bulgaria, as two new anti-LGBTI laws were fast-tracked in advance of forthcoming elections, a cross movement effort came together to try and […]
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News

Statement following the hearing of the EU Commissioner-designate for Crisis Preparedness, Prevention and Equality

At the EU Commissioner confirmation hearings today, Commissioner-designate for Crisis Preparedness, Prevention and Equality, Hadja Lahbib voiced a strong commitment towards protecting and advancing the […]
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News

Statement: The President of Georgia must not sign “On Family Values and the Protection of Minors” legislative package into law

ILGA-Europe call on President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili not to sign into law a draconian anti-LGBTI package that will have far-reaching negative impacts on lives […]
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Blog

The Turkish LGBTI+ community resists bans on Pride events again this year, amid increased repression from the Turkish government

Amid increased repression from the government, the Turkish LGBTI+ community courageously and creatively resists bans on Pride events again this year This year’s Pride season […]
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Blog

The fight against Georgia’s foreign agent law and anti-LGBTI legislation

In the face of rising authoritarianism, Georgia’s civil society and LGBTI community are battling draconian laws inspired by Russia, threatening their democratic rights and freedoms […]
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Blog

Remarkable and resilient Prides across Europe

Amid political turmoil, war, social issues and cultural changes, Pride celebrations in Europe continue to demonstrate the resilience and determination of LGBTI communities Today, on […]
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Report

EU Enlargement Review 2024

The fundamental rights of LGBTI people need to be a core part of the accession process and EU institutions need to work with the authorities […]
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