LGBTQ+ Rights
Turkey Tightens Access to Hormone Therapy for Trans People 🇹🇷 🗣️ 🏳️⚧️
At the turn of November and December 2024, the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency announced new regulations requiring an electronic prescription for access to certain hormones. This regulation, primarily targeting hormones used by transmasculine individuals as well as hormones for diabetes treatment, will significantly impact trans people's access to healthcare. A major issue is the lack of gender-specific healthcare, which is available in only 13 out of Turkey’s 81 provinces. For trans individuals living in rural areas, obtaining the necessary care remains time-consuming, financially burdensome, and logistically challenging. Delays in prescribing hormones and the limited capacity of hospitals also increase the risk that some patients may turn to illegal and unsafe means to obtain medication. The new regulation is thus expected to further restrict access to certain hormones, particularly for transmasculine individuals or those living in poverty. [1]
European Court of Human Rights Rules That Russia Failed to Protect Activists from Homophobic Attacks 🇷🇺 ⚖️ 🏳️🌈
In the case of Yevstifeyev and Others v. Russia, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Russia violated activists' human rights by failing to respond adequately to homophobic verbal attacks and physical threats from politicians. The court found that Russian authorities had breached Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to respect for private and family life) in conjunction with Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination).
The plaintiffs - LGBTQ+ rights activists - faced homophobic threats from politicians during a protest against hatred in St. Petersburg. These politicians also spread false information about LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite filing complaints in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, authorities dismissed the cases, claiming that the politicians were merely expressing personal opinions. However, the ECHR confirmed that these statements directly harmed the activists' mental health and dignity. The court also stressed that failing to address such incidents could normalize hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals, reinforce a culture of intolerance, and lead to further attacks. [2]
Lithuanian Constitutional Court Overturns Anti-LGBTQ+ Law in Breaking Decision ! 🏳️🌈 🫂 🇱🇹
On December 18, 2024, Lithuania’s Constitutional Court struck down a provision of the Law on the Protection of Minors from the Detrimental Effect of Public Information, which had banned the depiction of LGBTQ+ families in public spaces since 2009. The court ruled that this provision violated constitutional principles of human rights protection, dignity, equality, and tolerance, while also restricting minors' access to information. The decision follows the 2023 Macatė v. Lithuania ruling by the ECHR, which found the ban incompatible with the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The court emphasized that protecting minors must not be used as a pretext to suppress other constitutionally protected values. According to the ruling, the law disproportionately narrowed the definition of family, discriminated against the LGBTQ+ community, and restricted minors' access to objective information about diverse family structures. This decision marks a significant advancement for LGBTQ+ rights in Lithuania! [3]
More Good and Bad News from the World of Constitutionalism and Human Rights
International Organizations Accuse Israel of Genocide in Gaza 🇮🇱 🚱
Major human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have accused Israel of genocide and crimes against humanity over restrictions on access to clean water in Gaza. According to their reports, Israeli attacks on water supply infrastructure have drastically reduced access to safe drinking water, leading to the spread of deadly diseases, especially among children. These organizations argue that these actions are deliberate and aimed at creating conditions for the physical destruction of the Palestinian population, violating the 1948 Genocide Convention. Amnesty International also points to “dehumanizing and genocidal rhetoric about Palestinian territories” from certain Israeli politicians as further evidence.
The Israeli government has firmly rejected these allegations, calling them false and politically biased. Israeli officials argue that their actions are legitimate self-defense against the terrorist organization Hamas and fully comply with international law. However, these claims contrast with reports from Gaza, where local sources indicate that over 44,500 people, mostly civilians, have died since 2023. [4]
Georgia Faces Deepening Human Rights Crisis 🇬🇪 ⚖️
Protests in Georgia, triggered by the government's decision to abandon its path toward European Union membership, have been met with a harsh crackdown by authorities. Police used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to suppress largely peaceful demonstrations, during which not only protesters but also journalists and opposition representatives were attacked. Several hundred people were arrested, many reported mistreatment, and some were hospitalized due to police actions. The protests are unfolding against the backdrop of a political and constitutional crisis, including contested parliamentary elections in October 2024 and the adoption of repressive laws restricting civil society and independent media.
The European Union has expressed concern over the situation, but human rights organizations are calling for concrete action. Recommendations include an independent investigation into post-election violence involving experts from the Council of Europe and the United Nations, as well as sanctions against responsible Georgian officials. If the EU wants to maintain the trust of Georgian citizens, who see Europe as a symbol of democracy and human rights, it must take concrete steps to prevent the crisis from worsening. [5]
[1] New regulations pose greater risks to trans people in Turkey. Online. ILGA Europe. Available at: https://www.ilga-europe.org/news/new-regulations-pose-greater-risks-to-trans-people-in-turkey/. [cit. 2025-01-05].
[2] Russia failed to respond adequately to politician’s homophobic verbal assault, European Court finds. Online. ILGA Europe. Available at: https://www.ilga-europe.org/news/russia-failed-to-respond-adequately-to-politicians-homophobic-verbal-assault-european-court-finds/. [cit. 2025-01-05].
[3] ANTANAITYTĖ, Monika. Lithuanian Constitutional Court Rules “Anti-Gay Propaganda” Provision Unconstitutional. Online. LGL. Available at: https://www.lgl.lt/en/?p=29656. [cit. 2025-01-05].
[4] BORGER, Julian. Israel accused of act of genocide over restriction of Gaza water supply. Online. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/19/israel-accused-of-act-of-genocide-over-restriction-of-gaza-water-supply-human-rights-watch. [cit. 2025-01-05].
[5] GOGIA, Giorgi a KIROVA, Iskra. Georgia’s Human Rights Crisis Deepens Amid Mass Protests. Online. Human Rights Watch. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/12/10/georgias-human-rights-crisis-deepens-amid-mass-protests. [cit. 2025-01-05].
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