The Council of Europe on Gay Rights

The Council of Europe has adopted a recommendation to member states to “combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, to ensure respect for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and to promote tolerance towards them”.

This is a welcome move, but we must not forget that the Council of Europe has no powers. It is an organisation set up during the Cold War and should not be mistaken for the European Union.