European legislators should follow in the footsteps of Maltese lawmakers and enact anti-discrimination laws that that take transgender people’s rights “fully into account”, Transgender Europe said.
A guide outlining the best practices for the rights of transgender people was launched yesterday, giving practical examples of how to implement those rights.
Speaking during a press briefing ahead of the high level ministerial conference being held today, Transgender Europe (TGEU) senior policy officer Richard Kohler said that trans rights had advanced “in leaps and bounds” since the first edition of the guide had been published in 2011, commending Malta for its progress.
“It is actually very fitting to launch this edition in Malta, whose progress in this area of human rights has become an inspiration for other countries to follow, and a beacon of hope for trans people across the continent,” Mr Kohler said.
Human Rights and Gender Identity: Best Practice Catalogue is an updated follow-up to the work of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, and his 2009 paper Human Rights and Gender Identity.
Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, also present at the briefing, said that Europe was recognising the good work carried out by the Maltese authorities, adding that many had already started emulating it when developing their own systems.
Malta’s progress in this area of human rights has become an inspiration for other countries,and a beacon of hope for trans people
“More people are living better lives, which is essentially why we are doing this. Our systems will be used as models by other countries to give people better rights,” Dr Dalli said.
Malta features strongly in the catalogue, with its Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act being hailed as “best practice” for legal gender recognition.
“Legislators should follow the examples of countries like Malta and remove any need for change in civil status prior to name change and gender recognition,” the guide reads.
The Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (GIGESC) Act was approved unanimously by Parliament in 2015. Malta became the first country in which a law affirms the right to gender-identity recognition and self-determination, promoting policies of anti-discrimination and equality, as well as bodily integrity and physical autonomy.
As a result, it became illegal for medical practitioners or other professionals to conduct any sex-assignment treatments or surgical interventions on the sex characteristics of a minor.
Any such treatment or intervention must be deferred until the person concerned is able to provide informed consent.