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Committed to promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTI people

EU stars in rainbow flag colours
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We, the Diplomatic Missions of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, as well as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna, UN GLOBE Vienna and the Vienna School of International Studies, welcome the 17th May as the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, as a celebration of diversity and inclusion around the world.

In many countries, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) people continue to suffer bullying, discrimination and violence, often with deadly consequences. In 70 countries, there are laws that criminalise private, consensual sexual relations between adults of the same sex. We remain alarmed at these severely retrograde and inhumane measures.  It is our belief that nobody should be discriminated against for who they are or who they love. More tolerant and inclusive societies benefit everyone.

We are committed to promoting and protecting the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people. They must be accorded the same dignity, respect and rights as all other citizens.  We will continue to work through our Embassies and through International Organisations, including, where relevant, the UN, European Institutions, the OSCE, the Organization of American States (OAS), Mercusor (Reunion de Altas Autoridades sobre Derechos Humanos) and the Commonwealth, to promote tolerance and non-discrimination against LGBTI people and to address discriminatory laws, including those that criminalise homosexuality.

We also wish to pay homage to the courageous advocacy efforts carried out by human rights defenders, activists, journalists, media workers and civil society organisations to raise awareness about the issues affecting LGBTI persons and the violations of their human rights that they may face, including in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak.

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