Ministers Address Gender Violence Reform Petition in Luxembourg Parliament

On Wednesday 2 July 2025, Luxembourg's Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, and Minister of Justice, Elisabeth Margue, participated in a public debate in the Chamber of Deputies (parliament) concerning Public Petition No. 3409.

The petition, initiated by local non-profit organisation La voix des survivant(e)s Asbl, called for a comprehensive and systemic reform to combat sexual, gender-based, physical and psychological violence, as well as secondary victimisation - particularly focusing on ending the impunity felt by victims and recognising the impact on child co-victims.

During the debate, the petitioners presented 57 concrete proposals. As reported by the Chamber of Deputies, notable recommendations include: establishing a specialised court for gender-based violence; providing the justice system with adapted legal tools and sufficient resources; legally recognising children who witness domestic violence as victims; launching mass awareness-raising and prevention campaigns; enhancing the role and resources of the CNVV.

The petitioners expressed concern that the newly presented national action plan framework still lacked clear timelines and prioritisation of actions.

In response, Minister Backes clarified that the plan was intentionally designed as an ongoing process, hence no fixed timeline. Similarly, its holistic approach explains the absence of prioritisation among the various proposed actions. She emphasised that awareness-raising remains a top priority.

Minister Margue announced several forthcoming measures, including a ban on virginity certificates, the recruitment of magistrates, specialised training, and potential harsher sentencing.

The Chamber of Deputies stated that all proposals submitted by the petitioners will be analysed by the relevant parliamentary committees.

As reported by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity and the Ministry of Justice, both ministers welcomed and acknowledged the petitioners' commitment and advocacy for stronger multidimensional legal and procedural frameworks to combat violence.

Minister Backes stated: "The government has zero tolerance for violence. No form of violence is acceptable, today or tomorrow. This debate is fundamental - it allows us to listen, understand and develop collective responses." She highlighted that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Diversity supports all civil society efforts to improve the prevention and fight against all forms of violence. "Violence, whether domestic, gender-based or structural, remains a painful reality in Luxembourg as elsewhere. It affects all spheres of society, regardless of origin, gender, culture or status. It is our duty to combat it with determination, clarity and solidarity," she said.

She also underscored the importance of ongoing, proactive dialogue between state and operational actors.

Both ministries noted that, together with other government ministries, they have made preventing and combating violence a top priority, particularly in terms of information, awareness-raising and the protection and support of victims, including minors exposed to violence. This holistic approach also includes coordinated care for perpetrators.

Minister Margue reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing the justice system and police with the necessary resources to strengthen the fight against all forms of violence. Large-scale recruitment efforts will continue throughout the legislative period, and the legal framework will be adapted to provide prosecuting authorities with effective procedural means to combat various forms of violence. The same will apply to the legal framework for victim protection and support.

To fulfil these commitments, Luxembourg recently adopted several strategic tools, which include the active participation of civil society. These include the National Centre for Victims of Violence (CNVV), which opened its doors at the end of April 2025; it is planned to expand the centre's 24/7 accessibility starting in 2026.

Following the adoption of the fifth national action plan for equality between women and men in March 2025, the government adopted the first national action plan on gender-based violence on 20 June 2025. This plan is based on a participatory approach that includes the engagement and cooperation of civil society organisations. As part of this, an NGO forum will be established to foster ongoing dialogue and cooperation with civil society.

Moreover, the second national LGBTIQ+ action plan is expected to be submitted to the Government Council (Cabinet) for adoption in the near future.

The ministries noted that, beyond these new measures, Luxembourg already has an existing mechanism for intervention and support for victims and perpetrators of violence, largely based on the amended law of 8 September 2003.