Estonia: Whether lesbians in Estonia are provided redress by the state in cases of discrimination and ill-treatment
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 21 March 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | EST40637.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Estonia: Whether lesbians in Estonia are provided redress by the state in cases of discrimination and ill-treatment, 21 March 2003, EST40637.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4d9138.html [accessed 8 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The new Estonian Penal Code enacted on 1 September 2002, does not make any reference to sexual orientation or to the protection of persons discriminated against because of their sexual orientation (Estonia 1 Sept. 2002). This information would update EST39106.E of 12 June 2002 on state protection for homosexuals and on the availability of redress for lesbians in Estonia.
Likewise, sexual orientation is not mentioned in the Constitution of Estonia, adopted on 28 June 1992, however, Article 12 does provide for "other reasons" when describing grounds on which discrimination is prohibited (Estonia 28 June 1992).
A report on the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights Website, entitled Women 2000: An Investigation into the Status of Women's Rights in Central and Southern European and the Newly Independent States, states lesbians may establish an NGO without restrictions and that "Estonian society has become more tolerant towards homosexuals". For information on specific groups that work on behalf of sexual minorities in Estonia, see EST 34035.E of 21 March 2000.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Estonia. 28 June 1992. Constitution of Estonia. (Article 12) (International
Constituional Law). ______. 1 September 2002. Penal Code of Estonia. (Baltic Commercial Law Office).
19 Mar. 2003]
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. n.d. Women 2000: An Investigation into the Status of Women's Rights in Central and Southern European and the Newly Independent States. (International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights).
< http://www.ihf-hr.org/reports/women/estonia.pdf > [Accessed 11 Mar. 2003]
Gay LT. n.d. "Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia." (Gay LT). Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International
Council of Europe
Estonian Association for Lesbian and Bisexual Women
European Union
Human Rights Watch
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC)
International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
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