Culture Minister Marja van Bijsterveldt has pledged 500,000 euros to the human rights organisation of the Council of Europe to support its fight against the discrimination of homosexuals and transgender people in Europe.

She made the announcement in reaction to a report on the situation of homosexual and transgender people published by the Council’s Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg. According to the report, the situation is quite serious in a number of countries and urgently needs improvement.

Ms Van Bijsterveldt said she was upset to hear about bans on gay demonstrations and the continuing hate crimes against homosexual and transgender people, as well as the recent homophobic sentiments expressed in countries like Croatia, Bulgaria and Hungary.

“I find it unacceptable that a large number of Europe’s 50 million homosexuals and transgender people still cannot enjoy their fundamental human rights.”

The report includes evaluations of the situation in all 47 member states of the Council of Europe. The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark are the top three in terms of social acceptance of homosexual and transgender people.

(gsh/ae)

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