WHAT IS HAPPENING IN POLAND?
Till now more than 100 municipalities have adopted the resolution that enables them to declare themselves as LGBTI free zones. In the meantime the UN and the European Parliament have shown their concern about this situation.
The ultra-conservative leader Andrzej Duda narrowly secured his re-election after a tough campaign in which he made use of anti-LGBTI sentiments. During his campaign he attacked same sex marriage, LGBTI adoption and what he called “LGBT ideology”. In a letter named “family letter” he committed himself to fight “LGBT ideology”.
Janusz Kowalski, the Polish minister of State Actives has declared that all the country should become a LGBTI free zone, stating that the Constitution only recognizes marriage between a man and a woman. In response, the European Union has decided to block the fundings to regions that have been declared as such. Kowalski replied that “not one single euro should be denied to Poland since they are just saying No to LGBT ideology, in order to protect the Polish family.”
Because of it being an “LGBT free zone” region, Tuchów has not received money from the European Regional Development Fund. However, the Polish Minister of Justice has instead given this region money from the Justice Fund (designated for victims of crimes). This leaves us speechless.
Activists’ detention: a big demonstration of activists for LGBTI rights has taken place inWarsaw to protest against the detention of the trans activist Margot, charged with disobeying the law, fighting against the rise of homo-bi-trans-inter-phobia. In this demonstration 48 persons were arrested after being brutally injured by the police and were denied water and food for the night and part of next day.
ILGA Europe is calling international human rights institutions, including the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations, to raise their voices against police violence and arbitrary detention, and to demand that the rule of law be followed and fundamental rights protected for LGBTI people in Poland.
ENP amplifies ILGA Europe’s important message and encourages all parents of LGBTI+ people to stand in solidarity with one another, in defence of ALL our children.
ENP 