The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voted on January 29, 2026, to support a ban on conversion therapy practices, including those targeting transgender individuals. The resolution passed with 71 votes in favor, 26 against, and two abstentions, according to reports confirmed by multiple sources.
The move, spearheaded by UK Labour MP Kate Osborne, aims to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTIQ+) individuals from practices widely condemned by medical and human rights organizations as abusive and ineffective. Unlike some existing bans, this resolution specifically includes protections for transgender people, addressing a gap in legislation in many jurisdictions.
“Conversion practices have no scientific basis and have harmful consequences on the individuals to them,” Osborne stated, as reported by The Star Observer. “They induce or strengthen feelings of shame, guilt, self-disgust, and worthlessness, and lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.”
The Council of Europe, a continent-wide human rights body distinct from the European Union, is now urging its 26 member states to prohibit practices intended to suppress or change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. These practices often involve psychological coercion, religious pressure, or physical harm, and have been linked to long-term trauma for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The vote followed weeks of lobbying efforts, including attempts by anti-trans groups to derail the resolution, according to Star Observer. Advocates hailed the decision as a significant victory for LGBTQIA+ rights.
The resolution’s passage does not automatically outlaw conversion therapy across Europe. Instead, it compels member states to enact their own legislation to comply with the Council of Europe’s directive. The implementation timeline and specific legal frameworks will vary by country.
