Despite a petition signed by 1.2 million people and support from the European Parliament, a campaign to ban so-called conversion therapy across the European Union (EU) have fallen short.
On Wednesday, the European Commission responded to the European Citizens’ Initiative by stating that, after it “had analysed the legal possibilities”, it could only proceed with an official but non-binding recommendation for member states to ban the practices.
The decision followed a vote last month in which a majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) urged the Commission to present a proposal “for a legal act establishing an EU ban on conversion practices in all Member States.”
European Commission Condemns Conversion Therapy
The Commission strongly condemned conversion therapy, asserting that “Every member of the LGBTIQ+ community should be able to be who they are, live their life proudly, free from violence, discrimination and fear.”
It said it would adopt the recommendation in 2027 and was “committing to support countries in their efforts to ban these harmful practices” while also proposing “complementary measures, alongside the recommendation.”
These measures will include awareness campaigns, training to strengthen medical and psychological support, and a study to better understand the scale and impact of conversion practices across the EU.
European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib insisted that the Commission “is sending a clear message, without ambiguity, to every Member State in this Union: Ban conversion practices. Now.”
“We are calling on Member States to put a ban in place through a Commission Recommendation. This sends a powerful signal that these practices are harmful and must be illegal,” she added.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen also backed national bans on conversion practices, stating: “They have no place in our Union.”
Activists Express Frustration
The organisation Against Conversion Therapy (ACT), which led the campaign for an EU-wide ban, expressed disappointment that the Commission committed only to a recommendation.
“While it is appreciated that the European Commission condemns and calls for a ban on these practices, this falls short of the urgency required,” said Mattéo Garguilo from ACT.
Garguilo said the group remained determined and “will maintain the pressure, backed by the support of 1,245,626 signatories, more than 300 NGOs, and 411 MEPs who have supported the ban…”
ILGA-Europe welcomed the Commission’s commitment to the recommendation and called for it to be “swiftly translated into national bans, professional accountability, and real protection for survivors across Europe.”
Conversion Therapy Still Widespread in Europe
According to the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency, 24% of LGBTIQ+ people in the EU have experienced some form of conversion practices.
Eight EU countries have already introduced national bans on conversion therapy: Malta (2016), Germany (2020), France (2022), Greece (2022), Spain (2023), Belgium (2023), Cyprus (2023), and Portugal (2024).
Katrin Hugendubel, Deputy Director at ILGA-Europe, said: “Ending conversion practices cannot be reduced to symbolism or fragmented national action. It requires clear EU-wide direction, and that is what the Commission commits to today: support for national legislative bans in every Member State, proper training for professionals, and survivor-centred support systems that recognise the scale of the harm.”
A Harmful and Discredited Practice
Often cloaked in pseudoscientific language or religious justification, conversion therapy has been widely discredited by major human rights, medical, and mental health organisations as ineffective and dangerous. Research has linked the practices to depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.
Conversion practices can target both minors and adults and may include prayer sessions, counselling, exorcisms, beatings, humiliation, fasting, and even rape, all in the name of “curing” people of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
