Council of Europe MPs pass gender identity resolution

A comprehensive resolution the rights of trans persons adopted by the Council of Europe has been welcomed by the Malta Gay Rights Movement and Aditus Foundation, who have commended work by rapporteur and Labour MP Deborah Schembri in raising awareness on the issues trans people face across Council of Europe member states.

The resolution calls on member states to protect the right of trans persons not to be discriminated against and to facilitate legal gender recognition based on self-determination. It also asks for member states to provide information and raise awareness particularly among professionals in the education, health and psycho-social fields.

“Malta’s Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act is at the forefront of trans rights and we are glad to note that the Maltese Government is also advocating for trans rights Internationally. We applauded the unanimous support of the Act on the 1st of April and we recognise the efforts made by FOIPN’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Sub-Committee within the PN Party structure,” the two organisations said.

Labour MPs Schembri, Joe Debono Grech and Nationalist MP Beppe Fenech Adami voted in favour of the resolution.

Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli was invited to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on the gender identity law.

Dalli was welcomed by the President of the European Assembly Anne Brasseur, with whom Dalli held talks on human rights and migration.

In her address to the Council of Europe, spoke of the positive impact that the adoption of the Gender Identity Bill will have on the lives of trans, genderqueer and intersex people. “These individuals endured extra hardships, different forms of discrimination and social exclusion due to the State’s denial of their rights to have documents that reflect their gender and name,” Dalli said.

Amnesty International estimates there are 1.5 million transgender people in Europe.

“They can live better lives if the respective governments across Europe implement the Council of Europe’s resolution on the rights of transgender people and introduce legislation providing for the ability to change legal gender within a human rights framework.

“Today, you too as members of this Assembly can make history,” Dalli said, urging members to vote in favour of the resolution as an affirmation that all individuals have a gender identity, whether they are aware of it or not, and that all of them have a right to have it respected by others.

“Malta has turned around its national image in this area of policy and we have been told that we are now regarded as a beacon of light and hope. If we did it, then you can do it too,” Dalli said.