Council of Europe Congress Rapporteurs: Local and regional authorities must lead by example in protecting LGBTI rights
Strasbourg, 15.05.2026 - Ahead of International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17 May), held this year under the theme "At the heart of democracy", Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria, SOC/G/PD) and Helen Belcher (United Kingdom, ILDG), rapporteurs of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe on "Free to speak, free to meet: guaranteeing the rights of LGBTI persons in local communities", have made the following joint statement:
"'At the heart of democracy' is precisely where LGBTI people's rights should be. Despite being protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, freedom of expression and assembly for LGBTI people and NGOs are under real pressure in several Council of Europe member states. We see this in banned Pride marches, attacks and intimidation, and the growth of hate speech, especially online. This is part of bigger and deeply troubling picture in which the rights of minority groups are portrayed as a "threat to traditional values."
"Local and regional authorities can play a powerful and positive role in addressing this. They can and should take proactive measures to uphold LGBTI people's freedom of expression and assembly - and all of their rights. They can use their powers to create an inclusive environment, authorising Pride marches and other LGBTI-related events, ensuring police protection and logistical support, and providing stable funding and resources for LGBTI groups.
"On this International Day, we call on local and regional authorities to live up to their role as human rights defenders on behalf of LGBTI rights and as guarantors of equality and inclusion in their cities and regions. We also call on member States to provide local and regional authorities with the necessary resources and to play their own role in ensuring fairness, freedom and equality for all."
