National Council recommends against criminalizing gay conversion therapy

The State Council has responded negatively to Congress’ desire to criminalize homosexual conversion therapy in a recommendation released on Monday. It understands the desire to send a signal to society that this kind of treatment is undesirable by making it public. Enforcement is also difficult to regulate.

Conversion therapy aims to change or suppress someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, D66, VVD, PvdA, SP, GroenLinks, and PvdD submitted an initiative law Prohibit these controversial treatments in criminal law.

These parties, which hold majorities in Congress and the Senate, are primarily concerned with protecting vulnerable youth and adults from the harmful consequences of these practices. Some church institutions offer homosexual conversion therapy, from prayer sessions to psychological pressure to uncomfortable medications and electric shocks in response to gay imagery. Members of parliament also want to promote acceptance of gender and sexual diversity.

But according to the State Council, a blanket ban on conversion therapy goes against the fundamental rights of those involved. Political parties would be better off removing the blanket ban part of the proposal. They also need to be more clear about exactly what the intended added value of criminalization is. If it still wants to move forward, it should adjust the proposal and provide more explanation, the council said.

Majority of Congress calls for ban on homosexual conversion 2019 onwardsBut Cabinet wanted to conduct an investigation firstThe study found that banning homosexual conversion therapy was largely have symbolic value, difficult to summarize in legal text and difficult to enforce. Researchers suggested focusing on cultural change instead.