The Council of Europe adopts its first strategy on equal rights for LGBTI+s

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted the organisation's first strategy on equal rights for LGBTI+s. Covering the period 2027–2032, the strategy provides a structural framework for implementing existing human rights obligations and sets a general direction for ensuring equality and preventing discrimination and violence. On the same day, the Council of Europe also released a new report on hate speech based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). The Council of Europe announced this information.

The strategy was adopted 45 years after the European Court of Human Rights issued its first ruling on LGBTI+ rights—the 1981 judgment in the case of *Dudgeon v. the United Kingdom*. Since then, the Court’s case law, the Committee of Ministers' recommendations, the standards of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), and the work of other monitoring bodies have formed a significant framework for the protection of LGBTI+s. The new strategy consolidates this foundation and focuses on its effective and consistent implementation.

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset stated: "The adoption of the strategy is not the beginning of our commitment to LGBTI+ equality. It marks a new phase: it provides a framework for action based on the Council of Europe’s human rights standards and the obligations undertaken by member states." The Secretary General added: "The Council of Europe is founded on the belief that human rights belong to everyone. This strategy helps turn that belief into reality. There can be no exceptions to inclusivity."

The document emphasizes that while significant progress has been made in member states, it remains uneven. Discrimination, violence, hate speech, and hate crimes persist. Polarizing narratives and disinformation increasingly target LGBTI+s, while digital technologies and artificial intelligence can further exacerbate these risks by replicating bias, facilitating intrusive surveillance, amplifying technology-facilitated violence, and accelerating the spread of harmful content. Four priorities for action

The strategy proposes measures across numerous areas, including personal and family life, education, employment, healthcare, public services, civil society, as well as digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Four key priorities have been identified in the strategy:

• recognising the equal rights and dignity of LGBTQI+s and promoting a culture of respect and inclusion to counter stigmatization;

• combating disinformation and information manipulation regarding LGBTQI+s in order to safeguard democracy, human rights, and the rule of law;

• preventing and combating violence and hatred directed at LGBTQI+s;

• establishing, protecting, and strengthening safeguards through effective legal, institutional, and regulatory frameworks.

Member states play a central role in implementing the strategy at the national level, while the Council of Europe will provide support through standard-setting, monitoring, and cooperation. The strategy will be officially launched on January 26, 2027, at an event held during Montenegro’s Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers.

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