European Parliament speaks about LGBT rights in the Balkans, particularly in Montenegro

Zdravko Cimbaljević, executive director of the "LGBT Forum Progress," and the only publicly declared LGBT activist in Montenegro, addressed the members of the European Parliament at its regular session held in Strasbourg.

 

Cimbaljevic was invited by Ulrike Lunacek, member of the European Parliament and the President "LGBT Intergroup" in the very European Parliament, to speak on the subject of LGBT rights in the Balkans before the European Parliament on 22nd November in Strasbourg. Next to him, from the region it was Sanja Juras, Croatian LGBT activist was invited.

 

“LGBT Intergroup” which Ulrike Lunacek co-presides gathers 139 MEPs from 22 Member States and 6 political groups. It meets several times in the year to discuss the fundamental rights of LGBT people in the work of the European Union.

 

Considering the fact that the European Commission has released the annual accession report of the countries which are in the process of the accession to the European Union, it will also be the subject of the announced LGBT Intergroup meeting. During the two-day meetings, a round-table on the subject of LGBT rights on the Balkans will be organized, which will have the goal of examination and opening the dialogue on the subject of importance of these fundamental rights as a part of the accession process.

 

Zdravko Cimbaljevic will talk about the progress of Montenegro in the field of respect for the LGBT rights, as well as of his personal experiences, the activities of the LGBT Forum Progres, the measures taken so far in the direction of protection from discrimination for LGBT persons in Montenegro, but also about what institutions and other interested parties need to do more in order to reduce the impact of homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

 

LGBT Forum Progress considers this call as recognition of previous efforts in creating a favorable social and institutional framework in which LGBT people should be accepted and respected in their personal characteristics and accomplishments, rather than (pre)rejected because of their sexual orientation. Doing so the state of Montenegro, as well as its citizens will have the opportunity to demonstrate and practice the adoption of best practices in fighting homophobia, and to prove that in Montenegro it is possible to live a free life regardless of one’s personal characteristics and differences.