"LGBTIQ Detainees" Project: Key Outputs Now Available

We are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the EU-JUST co-funded project, “Strengthening the rights of LGBTIQ detainees in the EU – LGBTIQ Detainees.” This crucial initiative has now published its comprehensive findings.

This project was led by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) (Austria) and implemented simultaneously in four countries in collaboration with these esteemed partners:

• Associazione Antigone (Italy)
• Centre for European Constitutional Law (Greece)
• Hungarian Helsinki Committee (Hungary)

The project aimed to map the legal and policy framework across the EU and assess the situation in practice for LGBTIQ individuals in detention. The research confirms that sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression remain insufficiently addressed within prison systems, underscoring the vital need for the project's outputs. 

Project outputs

The research phase, which included extensive interviews with incarcerated people, experts, and prison staff, has culminated in the release of two essential sets of documents:
The Regional Report provides a critical overview for policymakers and practitioners across the EU. This document:

• Analyzes the international and regional human rights standards applicable to LGBTIQ detainees.
• Assesses the situation across the EU, highlighting common challenges (e.g., in placement, access to healthcare, and safety).
• Identifies promising practices already in use.
• Presents concrete recommendations to strengthen the rights of LGBTIQ detainees both at the regional and national level.

Four detailed National Reports offer an in-depth analysis of the situation in the partner countries, providing crucial data for local advocacy and reform:
National Report Austria (available in English and German)
National Report Greece (available in English and Greek)
National Report Hungary (available in English and Hungarian)
National Report Italy (available in English and Italian)
These reports serve as foundational resources for monitoring bodies and civil society organizations (like those in the EPO network) seeking to advocate for better, non-discriminatory treatment in line with human rights standards.

Key findings in brief

The outputs stress that current approaches often default to separation or isolation instead of addressing individual needs within the general prison population. The main recommendation is for prison systems to recognize diversity and implement tailored measures that avoid separation based on sexual orientation or gender identity, thus safeguarding the dignity and rights of all detainees.