Saturday 17 May 2014, Dublin.
Green Party Leader and Dublin MEP candidate, Eamon Ryan,said today: "The next European Parliament will play a crucial role incombating homophobia, and we must elect MEPs who will champion this cause. TheEU must use all the means it has to reduce discrimination faced by the LGBTcommunity, which is prevalent in so many parts of Europe. The Green Group hasthe strongest record in the European Parliament and I would hope to contribute tothis.
The Green Party is calling on the EU to take two criticalsteps to combat homophobia. The first, is for the Commission to adopt a Roadmapagainst Homophobia, outlining concrete steps that Member States can take, suchas training for police. Austrian Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek was the author ofthis report in the previous Parliament, and it is thanks to her work that itpassed with a strong majority.
The second, is for the EU to make accession conditional ongranting rights to LGBT citizens. This includes ensuring that there is nobacksliding when those Member States join. Dutch Green MEP Marije Cornelissenplayed a key role in ensuring the rights of the LGBT community in Croatia weregreatly improved before that country was allowed join.
Eamon Ryan continued: "The Green Group are the onlypolitical group fully united on this issue, and they have worked tirelessly toensure homophobia is combated both within and beyond EU borders. If elected, Iwill ensure this is a core part of my agenda over the next five years.International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is an important reminderthat there is much work to do."
ENDS
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