Chris Bryant

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights - carrying on the debate

The issue of civil partnerships and how, or if they’re recognised across Europe is a complex one. I know this from those of you who have commented on my blog posts, and those who asked questions at an event the FCO hosted jointly with Stonewall last week.  I’d like to widen the discussion on this important human rights issue. So please watch the video below, and if you have any questions or suggestions, make sure you submit them. I'll be answering the best ones soon. 

**updated on 16 March 2010** As promised here are the answers to the six questions that received the most votes! Thanks to everyone who submitted a question.**

Posted at 16:11 05 March 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[3]

LGBT rights: not just a sideshow

I know some people dismiss Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights as something of a sideshow in international relations, but I am proud to say that the FCO has argued for a decade that human rights are a seamless garment.  You can't attack the death penalty in China and not in the US .  You can't make representations about the stoning of women for adultery in Iran and ignore the plight of LGBT people in a wide range of countries around the world.

 
On the 25 February I'll be hosting an event at the FCO with Ben Summerskill, CEO of Stonewall, which will highlight the work we are doing at the FCO to promote LGBT rights and the recognition of UK Civil Partnerships in other EU Member States. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 ensures that civil partners and spouses are treated equally by enabling same sex couples to register and celebrate their relationships and gain valuable legal protection, such as  being recognised as next of kin .  To date almost 35,000 people have taken the opportunity to register their relationship.

 
LGBT rights are an integral part of the seamless garment of human rights.  The FCO is at the forefront of EU and international efforts to tackle discrimination and promote equal rights for LGBT individuals.  We are in the process of clarifying the position of EU Member States regarding mutual recognition of UK Civil Partnership rights and addressing any anomalies in these arrangements.  This is so that couples in a Civil Partnership who are moving to another Member State to work or study can enjoy the same rights and legal protection as a same sex couple in that country.  It's great that we have already achieved this with France and Spain - but also extraordinary that until recently a couple in a civil partnership here would have had to get divorced here and form a new partnership abroad if they wanted enjoy the same rights.   In many countries throughout the world without civil partnership legislation, British nationals can of course get  a civil partnership in British Consulates.   I am delighted that we have recently celebrated our 500th such ceremony. 

 
We also continue to encourage Governments in the EU and elsewhere in the world to do more to support and uphold LGBT rights, including through the work of our Embassies on Gay Pride.   The European Parliament recently stressed that steps should be taken to ensure that same-sex partners enjoy the same respect, dignity and protection as the rest of society.  The UK Government fully supports this view and is at the forefront of the EU and UN in promoting this issue.  We are committed to promoting LGBT rights and have developed our own programme for promoting these rights, available on the FCO website.

 
Our ultimate aim is an EU in which every country recognises LGBT rights and nobody is excluded, demeaned or degraded by homophobic attitudes and legislation.

This is one of the many events that celebrates LGBT History month in February and I look forward to discussions around these issues.

Posted at 15:23 24 February 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[7]

And the Bafta went to...

The 21st of February was a fantastic night for EU funded films at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAS).   Fish Tank won in the Outstanding British Film category, A Prophet won the Best Foreign Film and Carey Mulligan won leading actress in An Education.

It’s an incredible endorsement that four of the five films shortlisted for the Outstanding British Film Award last night received support from the EU's MEDIA Film support Programme.   An Education, Fish Tank, In the Loop and Nowhere Boy have all received support from the MEDIA Programme for their distribution.  Fish Tank received over €500,000 support to assist its theatrical release in 13 countries across Europe as well as support from the i2i Audiovisual scheme.  Over €160,000 was given to An Education for distribution in Europe, and In the Loop received €69,799, to help with distribution.

It was great to see that the diversity of EU film making was represented in the Not in the English Language category  with Los abrazos rotos (Broken Embraces), Das weisse band (The White Ribbon), Un prophète (A Prophet),  Coco avant Chanel (Coco Before Chanel) and Låt den rätte komma in (Let the Right One In) all receiving support from the MEDIA Programme's schemes and making their mark.


This is just one of the ways that the EU promotes cultural identity through its support for the European film industry.  The EU’s MEDIA programme has a total of 775 million Euros to spend between 2007 and 2013.  They use this money to help Europe’s audiovisual industry train and develop talent and projects, and  then distribute and promote their work.  Last year the UK directly benefited from 14 million Euros of this funding with the support of MEDIA Desk UK . 

As a film lover it's important to take stock and celebrate the success of this European project and in especially difficult economic times it's great to see Europe deliver for the British film industry.

 

Posted at 09:19 24 February 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[1]

Russia and the UK - finding solutions together

Next week I’m heading to Russia for my first official visit as Minister for Europe.  As a P5 country, a member of the G8 and G20, and one of the world’s largest economies, Russia plays a crucial role in global affairs. On many of the most important global issues – Afghanistan, Iran, non proliferation and disarmament, climate change or the response to the global economic crisis - Russia’s voice matters and it is vital that we engage in finding solutions together.

Of course we do not always see eye-to-eye. Our countries have had well publicised bilateral difficulties in the past few years. But that should not preclude productive discussion in areas where we have shared interests. 

The Foreign Secretary’s visit in November was a major milestone in taking this engagement forward. It was the first purely bilateral visit by a British Foreign Secretary for five years and led to constructive discussions with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.  I will be following up these discussions with three of my counterparts in the Foreign Ministry – Deputy Foreign Ministers Titov (on bilateral issues), Grushko (on Russia-EU relations) and Karasin (on Russia’s near abroad).

I also plan to meet businesspeople, Chevening alumni, cultural and education experts, and human rights activists. I want to learn firsthand what progress Russia is making in its plans to modernise its economy and society. I’ll write again when I get back.

Posted at 10:10 12 February 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[0]

The EU in Afghanistan

Today, Foreign Ministers and representatives from international organisations arrive in London ahead of the Afghanistan Conference. This is a landmark event. It will help us achieve our shared goal of a stable and secure Afghanistan that can exercise its sovereignty over all of its territory. A country that offers its people a representative government and the conditions for economic prosperity, as well as playing a constructive role in the region. Most importantly, a country that is not, as it once was, a training camp for international terrorism.

I'm sure much of the limelight will fall on the role of the US, UK, NATO and the UN. However, we must not overlook the crucial role that the EU has played, and will continue to play, in bringing stability to Afghanistan. EU financial support amounts to EUR 1 billion per year - a hugely significant contribution. Troops from EU member states make up 35% of the international military force. The EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) is mentoring senior officers in Afghan National Police, as well as leading international efforts on anti-corruption and intelligence-led policing.

I'm proud to say EU is at the forefront of the international effort in Afghanistan and that's where it will stay. Already EU countries have responded to General McChrystal’s call, with a genuine preparedness to share more of the burden in Afghanistan. That can only be good for British troops, keen to see others alongside them. My optimism is buoyed by the appointment of Cathy Ashton as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I've known her for a long time. She has that rare mix of steel and charm that such an important role requires. I am in no doubt that under her leadership, the EU's Afghan policy will receive the recognition it deserves.

Posted at 10:55 27 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[1]

2010: a year of opportunity in Turkey

I was in Istanbul this weekend for the opening celebrations of the European Capital of Culture. It is a bustling, thriving city, steeped in Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. The celebrations culminated in a spectacular fireworks show and, pointedly, the Ode to Joy. Turkey has long desired to join the EU.  It is an aspiration that the UK Government shares. Turkish Membership would be good for Turkey, offering its businesses unfettered access to 500 million customers. But it would also be good for the EU. Turkey has a key role to play in promoting our economic growth, regional and energy security, and in promoting our security against terrorism and international crime.

2010 will be year of culture in Turkey. But it will also be a year of opportunity, one in which we would like to see Turkey implement the reforms necessary for keeping it on the road to accession. There is more that needs to be done, not least in the areas of human rights, judicial reform and labour. And it will not be easy. But with so much to gain, the effort will be worth it.

Posted at 13:59 21 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[1]

Ukraine - a colourful and energetic campaign

Ukraine went to the polls to elect a President on Sunday.  This is the first Presidential election since the momentous events of the Orange Revolution.  It’s been a colourful and energetic campaign, with 18 candidates in the running two now remain.  By all accounts the run-off on 7 February will be as lively and energetic.  I am also pleased to see that the international observer mission, led by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), noted that the "election was of high quality (..) meeting most OSCE and Council of Europe commitments".

Britain cares deeply about democracy in Ukraine.  The British Embassy in Ukraine has run a successful landmark project promoting voter registration (one of the key problems identified in past elections). We are providing over £300,000 to help finance the international observer mission run by ODIHR, and providing 58 short-term and five long-term observers.  We urge all parties to engage with and listen to ODIHR, which is the best way of building trust and confidence in the final outcome.  

Once a new President is elected, we will continue to promote Ukraine’s political and economic development through its integration with the European Union.  I am convinced Ukraine can continue to be a beacon of democracy to the rest of the region.

Posted at 09:47 20 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[0]

Intensive negotiations in Cyprus

The two leaders in Cyprus have completed their first set of intensive negotiations- it’s a crucial time for the island, the region, and Europe. We wish them well and hope that they can make real progress for the people of Cyprus. The two leaders have the UK’s absolute support as they move forward in their efforts. I do not underestimate the challenges and the political courage needed to reach a settlement.

I travelled to the island in November, and saw for myself how the continued division of the island so badly affects the people who live there. Now is the time for change.  To the leaders –  good luck.  The international community stands behind you.

Posted at 10:00 18 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[0]

Portugal legalises gay marriage

I welcome the fact that Portugal's parliament has approved plans to legalise gay marriage, paving the way for the country to become the sixth in Europe to allow gays and lesbians to get married.  As the Socialist Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said "this is a step that will seem completely natural in the near future, in the same way that gender equality, abortion rights and unmarried couples living together are normal now."  
The increasing recognition of gay marriage and civil partnerships around the world, including a number of EU countries, demonstrates the growing global acknowledgment of the rights of LGBT people to formalise their relationships.

The European Parliament recently stressed that steps should be taken to ensure that same-sex partners enjoy the same respect, dignity and protection as the rest of society.  The UK Government fully supports this view and is at the forefront of the EU and UN in promoting this issue.  We are committed to promoting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender rights and have developed our own programme for promoting these rights, available on the FCO website.

We will continue to pursue this agenda actively.

Posted at 14:33 14 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[5]

A visit to Paris

Posted at 20:56 12 January 2010 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[6]

Reflections from my trip to Cyprus

Earlier this week I spent three days in Cyprus talking to people on both sides of the Buffer Zone about the prospects for a peaceful and lasting solution to the 'Cyprus problem'.  The problem is pretty easy to see.  I was escorted through the Buffer Zone by British troops who are there with blue berets under the UN mandate.  We drove through an eery patch (known as Rorke's Drift) to the West of the Capital city Nicosia, where vast, beautiful mansions, pockmarked with bullet holes, lay empty, their roofs caved in, their magnificent porticoes a home for stray cats and dogs.  We then passed into the centre of the city, where the Buffer Zone narrowed to a mere three metres.  Cafes, shops, hotels, all completely dilapidated, with sentry posts on either side of the green line.  In one building a stock of dozens of cars that have been waiting to be sold for three decades and more, all brand-new with just the distance from the port to the town on the clock. 

Of course, plenty of people have grown up with this madness.  They have grown up in a divided capital on a divided island - but with the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall we should not accept this division as a fact of life.

I left the island feeling more optimistic, struck by the leaders' personal commitment and how much progress they have already made. Though it's been tough at times, neither leader could conceive throwing in the towel and leaving the table. That's why I pay tribute to the two Cypriot leaders who are striving for a negotiated settlement.  There has never been a better moment, with these two men working together under the auspices of the UN, for peace, I truly believe that a settlement will be found.  The journey is tough, but ultimately, reunification will benefit the whole island, the whole region, and the EU.  I wish them well - and I hope that everyone on Cyprus and in Greece and Turkey will support the drive for peace.

Posted at 13:11 27 November 2009 by Chris Bryant  |  Comments[3]