EU Parliament must defend equal rights & democratic sovereignty in EU–US relations
As the European Parliament prepares to vote on the report on EU–US political relations at next week’s Plenary Session in Strasbourg, Forbidden Colours has submitted a set of amendments urging the European Union to defend democratic sovereignty, fundamental rights and international law in the transatlantic relationship.
The amendments respond to several recent developments in the United States that raise concerns about democratic resilience and the human rights of LGBTIQ+ people, in particular trans people.
They highlight reporting that the U.S. State Department is considering funding ideologically aligned think tanks and political actors in the European Union, including so-called ‘anti-gender’ organisations and groups critical of EU digital regulation. Forbidden Colours warns that such initiatives could undermine the EU’s institutional autonomy and democratic decision-making.
The amendments also raise concerns about investigations targeting progressive philanthropic organisations in the United States, including the Open Society Foundations founded by George Soros. Public rhetoric surrounding these investigations has echoed conspiracy narratives with antisemitic undertones and risks chilling civil society activity.
In addition, the proposed amendments address the growing scapegoating of LGBTIQ+ communities in the United States, particularly transgender people. Recent policies, including the denial of trans people’s existence, have raised concerns among human rights organisations.
Finally, Forbidden Colours calls on the EU to strongly condemn the expansion of the Mexico City Policy (also known as the ‘global gag rule’), which now extends restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance to programmes related to diversity, equity and inclusion and gender-affirming care. The organisation warns that these restrictions risk undermining global health programmes and multilateral cooperation.
“The transatlantic partnership must be based on shared democratic values, respect for fundamental rights and respect for sovereignty,” said Rémy Bonny, Executive Director of Forbidden Colours. “If those values are undermined, Europe must speak clearly and defend the principles that underpin international cooperation.”
Members of the European Parliament have until March 6h at 12PM (CET) to submit these amendments.
