IDAHOT+ Forum 2023

Today, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is hosting the European States’ LGBTQI+ Network’s (EPFN) IDAHOT+ Forum.

The IDAHOT+ Forum is organised by the Icelandic Government with the support of the Council of Europe’s SOGI Unit and the 2023 Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Sexual and Gender Identity Division.

The IDAHOT Forum, which has been held annually on May 17th in the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Queerphobia (IDAHOBIT) since its 10th edition, brings together government heads and representatives of the Council of Europe member states, regional human rights organisations, civil society organisations of member countries, including human rights defenders, activists, and other stakeholders to evaluate the status of LGBTQI+ rights on the continent, acknowledge achievements, and set new goals.

This year’s IDAHOT Forum focuses on a range of issues related to LGBTQI+ rights in Europe, particularly on addressing cases of persecution and violence based on gender identity and expression, ensuring adequate protection of intersex people’s rights, ensuring the safety of LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, and discussing ways to combat hate speech and hate crimes committed by both state and non-state actors.

We are proud to announce that Cavid Nəbiyev, the public advocacy specialist of the Nefes LGBTI Azerbaijan Alliance, is also attending the forum as a guest. He will participate in a panel discussion on “Supporting LGBTI Rights Defenders at Risk.” The panel discussion will focus on the challenges faced by LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, especially those working under difficult conditions in the South Caucasus and Turkey, and evaluate meaningful support and collaboration opportunities that embassies and intergovernmental institutions can provide to enable LGBTQI+ human rights defenders to continue their work effectively and safely.