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End 'barbaric' conversion practices now, Brussels tells EU countries

EuroNews · 🇫🇷 public France · · 570 words · By Jorge Liboreiro; Angela Skujins
Human rights LGBTIQ+ Rights EU Governance and Legal Constraints
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What to know about Human rights

The European Commission's recommendation falls short of the EU-wide ban on conversion practices that advocates had demanded in a citizens' initiative that gathered more than one million signatures across the bloc.

Claims checked 10
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left14%
Center72%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

The European Commission's recommendation falls short of the EU-wide ban on conversion practices that advocates had demanded in a citizens' initiative that gathered more than one million signatures across the bloc.

Why it matters

European Union countries must take immediate action to end "barbaric" conversion practices targeting LGBTIQ+ people, Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, said on Wednesday as she announced a non-binding recommendation.

Common ground

The lie that LGBTIQ+ people need to be fixed," Lahbib said on Wednesday.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/13/end-barbaric-conversion-practices-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 10 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4
info Single Source 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
info
Claim 1: “It will be formally presented next year.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results for this claim discuss the King's Speech in the UK or general ECRI reports, but do not specifically confirm the timeline for the formal presentation of the Commission's recommendation on conversion practices.
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web search NEUTRAL — European Commission. @EuropeanCommission. • 469K subscribers • 3.8K videos. We are shaping the future of the EU.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMPaviJxybo1RTdzvYcU91A
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web search NEUTRAL — Draft Conversion Practices Bill - This bill was announced in Labour's first King's speech, in July 2024, but has not yet been published. It would ban practices which intend to change someone's sexual …
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2324yp7ygyo
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web search NEUTRAL — Democracy and Human Dignity. European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). Home.Conclusions on the implementation of priority recommendations published in 2026.
https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-commission-against-racis…
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Claim 2: “Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Equality, said on Wednesday as she announced a non-binding recommendation”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources identify Hadja Lahbib as the European Commissioner for Equality and quote her describing conversion practices as harmful and 'not therapies'.
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web search NEUTRAL — The European Commission has already recognised the harmful nature of these practices. Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib stated that conversion practices “are not therapies”, that they can cause physi…
https://europeacontrecourant.eu/en/conversion-therapy-in-eur…
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web search NEUTRAL — European Commission’s Position. Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, described conversion therapies as “shameful practices that sometimes even lead to suicides.”
https://informeurope.com/2025/05/17/one-million-europeans-ur…
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web search NEUTRAL — In October 2025, the EU unveiled its LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, championed by Belgium’s Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib. Lahbib’s stance is unapologetic: “Conversion practices are no…
https://ket.brussels/2025/11/20/six-months-to-may-17-2026-eu…
verified
Claim 3: “Article 19 of the EU treaties compels unanimity to tackle discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Legal commentary and legislative documents confirm that Article 19 TFEU empowers the Council, acting unanimously, to take measures to combat discrimination based on the listed grounds.
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web search NEUTRAL — Standards for equality bodies: Discrimination under Article 19 TFEU grounds [EU Legislation in Progress] Equality and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities,…
https://epthinktank.eu/2023/07/12/standards-for-equality-bod…
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web search NEUTRAL — Abstract This chapter examines Article 19 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Article 19 (1) TFEU empowers the Council, acting unanimously and after obtaining the consent of…
https://academic.oup.com/oxford-law-pro/book/58863/chapter/4…
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web search NEUTRAL — Article 19 TFEU (former Article 13 EC) has been included in the system of the Treaties by the Treaty of Amsterdam, thanks also to the growing demand for greater recognition of social rights in the EU.…
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-43511-0_…
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Claim 4: “Almost a quarter of LGBTIQ+ citizens in the EU have been subjected to some form of conversion practices, according to the bloc's Fundamental Rights Agency”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this specific claim in the search results.
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Claim 5: “In January 2024, an NGO named ACT registered a European Citizens' Initiative asking the Commission to propose an EU-wide prohibition on conversion practices”
CORROBORATED
Web results confirm the existence of the 'Ban on Conversion Practices in the European Union' initiative and its goal to propose an EU-wide prohibition.
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web search NEUTRAL — European Citizens' Initiative. Menu.The European Parliament held a debate on this initiative in its plenary session on 25 March 2026. Watch the recording. The reply of the European Commission is due b…
https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/ban-conversion-practic…
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web search NEUTRAL — This initiative, titled ‘Ban on Conversion Practices in the European Union,’ collected over one million signatures within a week. Conversion practices—aimed at changing or suppressing an individual’s …
https://www.europeaninterest.eu/meps-discuss-eu-wide-ban-of-…
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web search NEUTRAL — This initiative proposes that the European Union adopt legislation banning these practices and creating a support mechanism to help Member States protect the rights of LGBTQIA+ people.
https://www.growthinktank.org/en/european-citizens-initiativ…
info
Claim 6: “As of today, eight of 27 member states – Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Malta, Spain and Portugal – have bans in place.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results provided for this claim only give general information about Belgium and do not list the specific member states that have bans on conversion practices.
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web search NEUTRAL — Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its complex system of governance, made up of six different governments. Belgium is a developed country with an advanced …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium
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web search NEUTRAL — 2 days ago · Belgium, country of northwestern Europe. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democra…
https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgium
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web search NEUTRAL — Discover Belgium. Explore Belgium facts, culture, history & comprehensive country profile with maps, statistics & research resources for students & travelers.
https://www.countryreports.org/country/Belgium.htm
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Claim 7: “The initiative surpassed the threshold of one million signatures from at least seven member states”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this specific claim in the search results.
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Claim 8: “advocates had demanded in a citizens' initiative that gathered more than one million signatures across the bloc”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that a European Citizens' Initiative calling for a ban on conversion practices gathered over one million signatures (specifically 1,128,063).
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web search NEUTRAL — The ' Ban on conversion practices in the European Union ' initiative was submitted to the European Commission on 17 November 2025, after having gathered 1,128,063 verified statements of support. See E…
https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/ban-conversion-practic…
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web search NEUTRAL — A major milestone for LGBTQIA+ rights has just been reached in Europe: a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for a ban on so-called "conversion therapies" targeting LGBTQIA+ people has gathere…
https://ket.brussels/2025/05/16/european-citizens-initiative…
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web search NEUTRAL — The collection of over one million signatures demanding an EU-wide ban on conversion therapy represents a historic public mandate to end these abusive practices. It reflects a broad coalition of citiz…
https://informeurope.com/2025/05/17/one-million-europeans-ur…
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Claim 9: “A 2020 report endorsed by the United Nations warned that conversion practices can result in 'long-lasting psychological and physical damage'”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm the UN has released reports stating that conversion practices can cause 'long-lasting psychological and physical damage' and may amount to torture.
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web search NEUTRAL — Key Terms. The United Nations has described ‘conversion practices’ as comprising of. processes engaged in towards desired changes in gender and/or sexuality based in conversion ideology.
https://www.saraa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Standing…
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web search NEUTRAL — The practice was outlawed in New Zealand last year, with the UN calling for a global ban on conversion therapy - saying it can amount to “torture”. “LGBT persons endure severe pain and long-lasting ps…
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/12/northland-school-closing-…
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web search NEUTRAL — By Tim Fitzsimons. The United Nations released a report documenting the global reach and impact of gay and transgender “conversion therapy,” calling for nations around the world to work to ban the sci…
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/u-n-calls-global-end…
info
Claim 10: “by either expanding the list of euro-crimes or amending the Equal Treatment Directive, which has been stuck since 2008 due to the lack of unanimity”
SINGLE SOURCE
While one source mentions the withdrawal of the EU Equal Treatment Directive and the need for member state agreement, there is not enough independent corroboration to verify the specific date of 2008 or the exact cause of the stalemate across multiple sources.
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web search NEUTRAL — The European Union (EU) is a supranational union of 27 member states that are party to the EU's founding treaties, and thereby subject to the privileges and obligations of membership.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_state_of_the_European_U…
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web search NEUTRAL — 6. Member State Responsibility. Member states, particularly those that have historically opposed the directive, are urged to come to an agreement before the proposal is withdrawn. This would require p…
https://europeantimes.news/2025/02/the-sudden-withdrawal-of-…
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web search NEUTRAL — EU member States are the preferred countries of destination for migrants from other member States of the Council of Europe; The Convention offers a multilateral basis for managing migration (EU direct…
https://www.coe.int/t/dg3/migration/archives/Documentation/D…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.