Watch: Help Ban Conversion Practices Across The EU By Signing This Petition, Cyrus Engerer Urges
MEP Cyrus Engerer is urging Maltese people to sign a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) aimed at banning conversion practices inflicted on LGBTIQ+ people in the European Union.
In 2014 Malta was the first country in the EU to criminalise those who manipulate LGBTIQ+ people into conversion practices. And today, the European Commission has finally agreed to open an ECI to make this change all across the union.
The commission has started a citizens’ initiative and it is requesting a million people from all over the union to sign this petition to change the law in all member states.
“Let’s be the country that gathers the most signatures so we can witness the eradication of these practices all across the union. Let’s be at the forefront to protect all LGBTIQ individuals,” Engerer said while urging Maltese and Gozitans to sign this initiative.
The ECI is a unique way for you to help shape the EU by calling on the European Commission to propose new laws. Once an initiative has reached one million signatures, the Commission will decide on what action to take.
The video further features several different MEPs from countries across the union who celebrated Malta’s historic step in 2014 and called on the island to continue protecting the queer community by engaging in this initative.
“Malta has a good law and I hope we will have this law in all member states,” Vice President of the European Parliament Marc Angel said.
The Maltese law states:
“conversion practices” refers to any treatment, practice or sustained effort that aims to change, repress and, or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression; such practices do not include –
(a) any services and, or interventions related to the exploration and, or free development of a person and, or affirmation of one’s identity with regard to one or more of the characteristics being affirmed by this Act, through counselling, psychotherapeutic services and, or similar services; or
(b) any healthcare service related to the free development and, or affirmation of one’s gender identity and, or gender expression of a person; and, or
(c) any healthcare service related to the treatment of a mental disorder.
Any person found guilty of conversion practices can face a fine between €1,000 and €5,000 and/or an imprisonment term of no less than one month and no more than five.
The ECI opens on 24th May so be sure to keep your eyes peeled to help EU citizens enjoy the same rights that we do.
This action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament’s grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
Will you be signing this initiative?
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