A decision by the European Union not to pursue a bloc-wide ban on so-called "conversion therapy" targeting LGBTQI+ people has divided campaigners and lawmakers. Brussels argues that a binding law could have taken up to 18 years to negotiate.
Issued on: 14/05/2026 - 18:00
Instead of proposing legislation across all 27 member states, the European Commission on Wednesday said it would recommend that governments introduce their own bans – a strategy Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib told RFI was the fastest and most realistic path to action.
“To adopt binding legislation, unanimity would have been needed anyway,” Lahbib said.
“Rather than plunging into discussions that could have taken 10, 15 or even 18 years, we preferred this recommendation because we are convinced it will be much more effective.”
