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 - RFI
Demonstrators protest against conversion therapy outside parliament in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 25 May 2023. The European Union has ruled out pursuing a bloc-wide ban on the practice. © AP - Petros Karadjias
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.”
'Shameful' practice
Conversion practices seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through sometimes violent methods.
United Nations experts have called for a worldwide ban, describing the practices as discriminatory, humiliating and a violation of bodily integrity.
More than one million people signed a petition last year calling on the EU to outlaw the procedures – which reportedly include physical aggression, exorcism, hormone therapy, electric shocks and spiritual retreats – across the bloc.
The campaign was backed by public figures including pop stars Angèle and Pierre de Maere, as well as former French prime minister Gabriel Attal.
“It is a shameful practice, an unacceptable practice. This is not healthcare – it’s violence in disguise. Nobody should have to go through this,” Lahbib said.
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.”
'Shameful' practice
Conversion practices seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity through sometimes violent methods.
United Nations experts have called for a worldwide ban, describing the practices as discriminatory, humiliating and a violation of bodily integrity.
More than one million people signed a petition last year calling on the EU to outlaw the procedures – which reportedly include physical aggression, exorcism, hormone therapy, electric shocks and spiritual retreats – across the bloc.
The campaign was backed by public figures including pop stars Angèle and Pierre de Maere, as well as former French prime minister Gabriel Attal.
“It is a shameful practice, an unacceptable practice. This is not healthcare – it’s violence in disguise. Nobody should have to go through this,” Lahbib said.
The European Commission argued that trying to introduce a binding EU law could have led to years of political deadlock.
A pride flag flew outside the commission headquarters in Brussels as the announcement was made on Wednesday.
“Conversion practices have no place in our union,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Eight EU countries have already outlawed conversion practices – Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Spain.
Possible future bans are also being discussed in Ireland, the Netherlands and Denmark, while other countries, including Slovakia, continue to resist.
Divided response
Reactions from gay rights groups and lawmakers were mixed.
Supporters of the commission’s approach argued that a recommendation could deliver quicker results than years of negotiations over an EU law.
Cianan Russel from LGBTQI+ rights network ILGA-Europe said the EU had taken the strongest action open to it.
“We are engaged in a long-term struggle and we want a viable and effective solution over the long term. The commission has taken the most effective measure possible,” Russel said.
Critics argued that Brussels had failed to act strongly enough at a time when homophobic rhetoric is growing internationally.
The campaign group Against Conversion Therapy, which launched the petition, called the decision “a missed opportunity”.
“In an international political climate where reactionary ideas are on the rise around the world, there is an urgent need for the European Union to act,” the group said.
At the European Parliament, lawmakers adopted a resolution in April supporting a ban.
Manon Aubry, a left-wing French MEP, described the commission’s decision as “shameful”.
Meanwhile Melissa Camara, a member of the parliament’s LGBTIQ+ rights group, told the French news agency AFP the commission’s move was “a step in the right direction” but “far too timid” given “the damage and trauma caused by these practices”.
(with newswires and reporting from RFI in French)
