by Rex Wockner
The European branch of the International Lesbian and Gay Association and the Dutch national gay group COC lectured the nations of Georgia and Azerbaijan on the responsibilities of European Union membership Oct. 16.
"Georgia and Azerbaijan must stop discrimination and incitement to hatred and put in place an inclusive anti-discrimination law in line with Council of Europe and EU standards if they aspire to EU membership," the groups said in detailed reports on the position of GLBT people in the two South Caucasian countries.
"The reports illustrate the vulnerable position of LGBT communities and the systematic nature of human rights violations against them," said ILGA-Europe Executive Director Patricia Prendiville. "This situation runs against Georgia and Azerbaijan's obligations under the European Convention for Human Rights and against European Union laws and values these countries have to respect if they aspire to EU membership in the future."
COC originally stood for Cultuur en Ontspannings-Centrum (Culture and Leisure Center) but the organization now is known solely by its former initials.
