“We are citizens. We are families. We are communities. We are part of the fabric of Europe”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY JONATHAN PHANG
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has passed a resolution for a ban on conversion practices. This resolution will call on all member and observer states of the Council of Europe to introduce legislation to prohibit conversion practices.
Conversion practices are defined as trying to “change, repress or suppress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression”. PACE stated “action to prevent and counter the harm caused […] is urgently needed”.
This decision marked a momentous win for Kate Osborne MP, who worked on the report that was passed by PACE. Kate wrote a powerful response to the resolution on Instagram. “This followed 2 years of work, months of negotiations and an intense last few days of meetings to ensure we had a consensus across the political spectrum and across Europe. Passing this report matters, conversion practices are harmful, they have no place in Europe, or indeed anywhere and they must be banned – now they will be.”
She continued: “Banning conversion practices isn’t just a legal intervention. It’s a statement about who belongs in our societies. It’s a statement that LGBTI people are not problems to be solved. We are citizens. We are families. We are communities. We are part of the fabric of Europe.”
Ban Conversion Practices celebrated PACE’s resolution on Instagram, stating that it was happy to see a “step in the right direction”.
“Now, it is time for the UK Government to take action and publish their draft Bill as soon as possible. It is time that LGBTQ+ people are protected from this abuse,” Ban Conversion Practices added.
France, Germany, Malta, Norway and the Netherlands have all passed legislation to ban conversion practices. Malta led the way when it banned conversion practices in 2016. As reported by PACE, Helena Dalli, former European Commissioner for Equality and former Minister for European Affairs and Equality of Malta, said during the debate: “Either Europe affirms, unequivocally, that diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity is part of the human condition, or it tolerates practices that treat it as a pathology. […] No state should claim fidelity to human rights while allowing these practices to continue.”
Saba Ali, interim chair for Ban Conversion Practices, praised Kate for her work during this debate. “Congratulations to @kateosbornemp for driving the vote to back a ban on conversion practices,” Saba wrote. “This is leadership that sides with survivors and names abuse for what it is. Your stand in Strasbourg mattered today and I’m grateful. The pressure shifts to the UK Government now, publish the draft Bill, stop the delay, and put real protections in law. LGBTQ+ lives cannot be left in limbo. Today we see progress and a line has been drawn. Thank you Kate!”
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