A campaign calling for a European Union-wide ban on so-called conversion therapy has fallen short, despite a petition signed by more than 1.2 million people and support from the European Parliament.
On Wednesday, the European Commission responded to the European Citizens’ Initiative by saying that, after it “had analysed the legal possibilities”, it could only move forward with an official but non-binding recommendation for member states to ban the practices.
The decision follows a vote last month in which a majority of Members of the European Parliament 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, stating 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.”
Those 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 said 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 supported national bans on conversion practices, saying: “They have no place in our Union.”
Activists express frustration
Against Conversion Therapy, the organisation that led the campaign for an EU-wide ban, expressed disappointment that the Commission had committed only to a recommendation rather than binding legislation.
“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, while calling for it to be “swiftly translated into national bans, professional accountability, and real protection for survivors across Europe.”
Conversion therapy remains 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 in 2016, Germany in 2020, France and Greece in 2022, Spain, Belgium and Cyprus in 2023, and Portugal in 2024.
Katrin Hugendubel, Deputy Director at ILGA-Europe, said ending conversion practices requires more than symbolic statements or uneven national action.
“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
Conversion therapy is often presented through pseudoscientific language or religious justification, but it 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 rape, all carried out in the name of “curing” people of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
For campaigners, the Commission’s response marks progress, but not enough. They say the focus must now shift to ensuring every EU member state introduces strong, enforceable bans that protect LGBTQ+ people from abuse.
