EC threatens anti-LGBT EU countries with financial penalties
The European Commission has presented an equality strategy for LGBT people, which may leave the "insufficiently tolerant" countries of the European Union without funds.
EU Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli said countries that oppose LGBT people should not receive funds from the European Union, reports Politico.
For example, Poland and Hungary fit the definition of Dalli. Poland has already faced funding penalties due to attitudes towards LGBT people.
The new strategy of the European Commission to protect LGBT rights "provides for a number of targeted actions, including legal and financial measures, over the next 5 years".
The strategy, which will need buy-in from member countries to implement many of its key provisions, calls to extend the list of ‘EU crimes’ to include hate crime and hate speech, including when targeted at LGBTIQ people; recognition of LGBTIQ parenthood rights across the bloc; and explores possible measures to support the mutual recognition of the same-gender partnership between EU countries.
As the authors note, the strategy "ensures that LGBT concerns are well reflected in EU policy-making so that LGBT people in all their diversity are secure and have equal opportunities to flourish and fully participate in society".
As reported, earlier the US Ambassador stated that Poland's hostility towards sexual minorities would negatively affect investments in the country.
