The European Union (EU) this week came
out against three state laws that target the LGBT community, saying
that each violates a human rights treaty and should be repealed.
“The recently adopted laws including
in the states of Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee, which
discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex
persons in the United States contravene the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, to which the US is a State party, and
which states that the law shall prohibit any discrimination and
guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection,” the EU
said in a statement.
“As a consequence, cultural,
traditional or religious values cannot be invoked to justify any form
of discrimination, including discrimination against LGBTI persons.
These laws should be reconsidered as soon as possible.”
“The European Union reaffirms its
commitment to the equality and dignity of all human beings
irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender identity. We will
continue to work to end all forms of discrimination and to counter
attempts to embed or enhance discrimination wherever it occurs around
the world,” the international body said.
North Carolina's House Bill 2 blocks
cities from enacting LGBT protections and prohibits transgender
people from using the bathroom of their choice in government
buildings, including schools. Mississippi's law allows some
businesses to deny services to LGBT people based on their “sincerely
held religious beliefs or moral convictions,” while Tennessee's law
allows mental health therapists and counselors to turn away LGBT
clients.