The IAFT is pleased to add its name to this statement by Sophie In’t Veld, MEP, and 40 other MEPs. In accordance with its principles of defence of individual freedoms and freedom of conscience, it can only support this text unreservedly.
We were appalled to see that the participants of the Equality March – that took place for the first time in the Polish city of Bialystok on 20 July – became victims of LGBTI-phobic hate speech and physical violence exhibited by far-right groups and football ultra-fans.
Hooligans tried to stop the peaceful march by throwing stones, eggs and firecrackers – as well as by beating up and verbally offending its participants – something widely reported in both traditional and social media. This happened only a few days after the Polish Magazine Gazeta Polska announced its plans to distribute “LGBT-free zone” stickers.
For many months, the ruling Law and Justice (PIS) party has been portraying the LGBTI community as the public enemy and a threat to traditional Polish and Catholic values. We are concerned to see such backlash stimulate anti-LGBTI sentiments in Poland and beyond.
Freedom of assembly, the right to dignity and to non-discrimination are pillars of democracy. Therefore, we strongly condemn such examples of LGBTI phobic hate speech and hate crimes and we encourage Polish authorities to do the same, in order to guarantee every citizen’s right to live a life free of discrimination and violence. This is why, as the LGBTI Intergroup, we believe and will continue to push for the EU to finally close the gap in protection and guarantee full equality for all citizens, in line with EU values. We will also continue to advocate for the EU to adopt common rules on hate speech (including LGBTI phobic hate speech).
Therefore, we call on:
- Polish authorities to protect the human rights of all its citizens, including LGBTI people, especially freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and the right to be free from violence and discrimination. This includes prosecuting authors of LGBTI phobic violence and hate speech, and providing appropriate compensation to their victims. We also count on Polish authorities to provide full protection to upcoming Prides in Poland, and to the “march against violence” this coming Sunday in Bialystok, so they can take place in a safe and peaceful manner.
- The European Commission to push forward the long awaited Equality Directive, so all EU citizens can be granted the highest level of protection against discrimination, to facilitate the adoption of common rules on hate speech and to adopt an LGBTI strategy as soon as possible.
Sophie in’t Veld MEP, Vice-President LGBTI Intergroup
Malin Bjork MEP, Vice-President LGBTI Intergroup
Tanja Fajon, Vice-President LGBTI Intergroup
Robert Biedron député européen
Sylwia Spurek député européen
Giuliano Pisapia député européen
Hilde Vautmans député européen
Fredrick Federley député européen
Birgit Sippel député européen
Giuseppina Picierno député européen
Josianne Cutajar député européen
Manuel Bompard député européen
Monika Vana député européen
Anne-Sophie Pelletier député européen
Younous Omarjee député européen
Jackie Jones député européen
Brando Benifei député européen
Maria Arena député européen
Karen Melchior député européen
Mónica Silvana González député européen
Theresa Griffin député européen
Agnes Jongerius député européen
Alex Agius Saliba député européen
Petra de Sutter député européen
Abir Al-Sahlani député européen
Evin Incir député européen
Claude Moraes député européen
Heidi Hautala député européen
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica député européen
Jude Kirton-Darling député européen
Julie Ward député européen
Jill Evans député européen
Rosa d’Amato député européen
Kati Piri député européen
Iratxe Garcia Pérez député européen
Martin Hojsik député européen
Rasmus Andresen député européen
Rory Palmer député européen