Release of the Issue Paper 'Human rights and gender identity'

13 August 2009

The Issue Paper on Human rights and gender identity launched during the World Outgames 2nd International Conference on LGBT Human Rights last July focuses on the issue of transgender human rights. The publication intends to advance the debate on this matter and raise awareness on the problems encountered by transgender people.

The Commissioner’s document also points out that agreed international human rights standards, such as the right to life, physical integrity and the right to health care, apply equally to all people, including transgender persons. Likewise, they have the right to be protected against discrimination on the labour market.

The Issue Paper provides some examples of good practice implemented in some countries and proposes a set of recommendations to prevent discrimination and intolerance. As Commissioner Hammarberg says “Council of Europe member states should do more to stop transphobia and discrimination against transgender people. The situation of transgender persons has long been ignored and neglected, although the problems they face are very real and often specific to this group alone. They experience a high degree of discrimination and intolerance in all fields of life, as well as outright violence. Transgender persons have been the victims of brutal hate crimes, including murder, in some European countries”.

Downloadable files

Issue Paper 'Human Rights and Gender Identity (597KB)

Press release