Today, people around the world mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. The European Union Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina would like to emphasise on this occasion that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI) people have the same human rights as all individuals, which include the right to non-discrimination in the enjoyment of these rights. It is appropriate in 2013, the EU Year of the Citizens, to recall that LGBTI persons are equal citizens.
Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation is prohibited under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, as well as under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The EU actively promotes non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in its foreign policy, including through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. In addition a ‘Toolkit’ adopted by the Council’s working party on human rights in 2010 helps the EU institutions, EU countries, EU Delegations and all EU Officials to react firmly and proactively when the human rights of LGBTI people are violated, and to address the structural causes leading to such violations.
In this context, the European Union Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina today encourage the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote equality and non-discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The EU Heads of Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina also encourages the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take the appropriate action to prevent and punish acts of violence against LGBTI people and to implement fully the Anti- Discrimination Law.
