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News | 08-05-2024 | 14:38
From 14 to 16 May, the Netherlands will co-host the European IDAHOT+ Forum in The Hague with the European Commission. The Forum is a major conference on the status and human rights of LGBTIQ+ people. Queen Máxima will speak at the event, as will Minister of Education, Culture and Science Robert Dickgraf and European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalí. In addition, two European indices will be published showing where countries stand on the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people. The Forum will close on 16 May, with Mr Dickgraf, Commissioner Dalí and guests of the event travelling to Brussels on the Rainbow Express for the subsequent EU meeting.
Mr Dickgraf commented: “We are seeing that acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people seems to have stabilized, while groups opposing LGBTIQ+ equal rights have become more vocal. This is the case in the Netherlands and other European countries, and I am concerned about this. I believe we must continue to advocate strongly for the protection of these fundamental human rights. Securing equal rights will involve victories and setbacks – and it certainly doesn’t happen on its own. It requires sustained attention and effort from individuals, EU Member States, NGOs, public figures and society at large. Ultimately, you can measure a society by the extent to which it provides a safe space for everyone.”
Continue to advocate for human rights
Mr Dijkgraaf believes it is of great significance that the Netherlands is hosting this year’s European IDAHOT+ Forum. Around 90% of the Dutch population supports equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people. However, we see increasing pressure on the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people here and in many other parts of Europe. This includes overtly discriminatory legislation in some Member States, as well as the destruction of rainbow flags and monuments commemorating the LGBTIQ+ movement. The IDAHOT+ Forum is a place for governments and civil society organisations to share experiences and exchange best practices on LGBTIQ+ policies. Two European human rights indices for LGBTIQ+ people, namely ILGA-Europe Rainbow Europe Map and Index and TGEU Trans Rights MapIt will be published at the forum, clarifying where some countries still need to work on. Finally, the participating countries will sign a ministerial declaration, pledging to protect the equal rights of LGBTIQ+ people and to maintain and improve the social status and acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people.
Rainbow Express to Brussels
After the event in The Hague, the Rainbow Express will depart from the Netherlands Spoer station in The Hague to Brussels, at the initiative of the Dutch and Belgian EU Presidencies. There the Belgian Presidency will take over the baton and host the EU conference “Pride Alliances and Policies: Towards an Equal Alliance” on May 17th, following the Dutch Forum. Mr. Dijkgraf will be on board the Rainbow Express and in Brussels will speak further about equal treatment of LGBTIQ+ people in the EU.
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
Exactly 34 years ago, on 17 May 1990, the World Health Organization decided to no longer classify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Every year on 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) commemorates this day and organizes many events. In 2013, the Netherlands initiated the first European IDAHOT+ Forum. Since then, every year around this date, European countries have held IDAHOT+ Forums, where policymakers, experts, human rights defenders and NGOs come together to discuss the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people, ongoing developments in this field in Europe and how to work together more effectively to improve the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people. This year, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is once again organizing the event on 14, 15 and 16 May on behalf of the Netherlands. The theme of this year’s forum is the future of freedom and equality in Europe. The detailed program can be found here here.
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