POLAND: An EU human rights watchdog has strongly criticised political leaders in Poland and Latvia for undermining the rights of homosexuals and banning gay rights marches.
The rebuke comes as Polish authorities prepare for a major gay pride parade in Warsaw this Saturday. The parade, which has been banned for the past two years, has been allowed to proceed following pressure exerted by the EU and human rights groups.
The poor record of Poland and Latvia on gay rights is highlighted in a report published by the EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, which expresses deep concern about political homophobia.
It notes with regret that the president of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, while mayor of Warsaw refused to permit a demonstration in June last year in defence of the rights of homosexuals. Another demonstration planned for Poznan in November 2005 was also banned. Demonstrators protesting against discrimination based on sexual orientation were subjected to slogans such as "Gas the Gay" and "Send Dykes to Auschwitz" while police failed to react, says the report. It also records similar concerns about the lack of freedom to protest accorded to homosexuals in Latvia. The Latvian Gay and Lesbian Youth Support Group met problems when they sought a Gay Pride Parade, apparently because of pressure from the Latvia First Party.
The network is also concerned about homophobic statements made when the parliament in Latvia decided, on October, 26th, 2005, to amend the constitution to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman.
A group of MEPS will attend the Polish march on Saturday,which is expected to attract counter-demonstrations. Martin Schultz, leader of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, yesterday criticised the Polish government parties for their failure to tackle homophobia.
The 292-page synthesis report also expresses concerns about the mistaken shooting of the Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes by the Metropolitan Police in Britain and the French government's decision to ban Muslim schoolchildren from wearing headscarves.
The network says it is concerned about the length of time taken for the investigation into the de Menezes shooting, which has still not been finalised.
On the banning of headscarves in school it says it fears this could lead to dropout of recalcitrant pupils and to abuse of Muslim women who do not wear them.