More action needed against homophobic hate crime

12.57.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th May 2006

Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford is using today's (17.05.06) International Day against Homophobia to call for tougher action to stamp out homophobic crime across the EU. She said:

"The brutal murder of London barman Jody Dobrowski, whose killers last week admitted their guilt, serves as a reminder of just how abhorrent hate crime can be. But we need to tackle this issue at its cause, which means rooting out day to day acts of discrimination."

"I repeat the calls made by MEPs in January for tough measures to be taken against those states which are failing to implement anti-discrimination laws, and for an extension of European equalities legislation to outlaw homophobia in all its forms, not just in the workplace."

"We must also step up efforts to fight homophobia through education, with initiatives such as the Liberal Democrat campaign against homophobic bullying. Europe-wide awareness campaigns coupled with media and political pressure can make all the difference."