“Conversion Therapy” and International Protection: A Comparative Analysis of the Practices of the UN Human Rights Bodies and the European Court of Human Rights

Abstract

The article analyzes the approach of UN bodies and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) to “conversion therapy” – practices that aim to change sexual identity. While only the UN has previously analyzed “conversion therapy”, this article shows that the ECtHR shares a similar approach. While UN bodies do not support “conversion therapy”, they have different approaches. Although the ECtHR has yet to rule on “conversion therapy” cases, the European Convention on Human Rights offers several relevant articles that victims can rely on. Organizers may attempt to invoke specific European Convention on Human Rights articles. Still, it is unlikely that the ECtHR would interpret them as protecting any form of “conversion therapy” or its promotion. The article argues that international bodies call on states to take more than just legal action and to adopt a comprehensive approach to protection against “conversion therapy”.