Council of Europe calls for ‘conversion practices’ ban

The Council of Europe has called upon member states to ban “conversion practices” which seek to alter a person’s sexual identity.

Parliamentarians voted for the motion calling on nations to “provide criminal sanctions based on a clear and comprehensive definition of the proscribed practices” at its assembly in Strasbourg.

The motion comfortably passed by 71 votes to 21, with two abstentions, as reported by Evangelical Focus. The council, comprised of 46 member nations, is arguably Europe’s most influential human rights organisation, but it does not have law-making power, meaning legislation across the continent is unchanged following this vote.