May 14, 2007News: Call to Oppose Poland’s Version of ‘Section 28’
By vanrozenheim
(London, UK) - The demonstration outside the Polish Embassy in London on Thursday, organised by the British Youth Council, is being backed by the London-based gay human rights group Outrage!, it emerged last night. The protest is one of a worldwide series of protests in over 50 countries to mark IDAHO - the International Day Against Homophobia, on May 17. “We condemn rising homophobia in Poland and the increased persecution of Poland’s lesbian and gay citizens,” said David Allison of OutRage!.
“Polish gays are experiencing both queer-bashing attacks by neo-Nazis and government-orchestrated denunciations and discrimination.
“Poland’s new Education Bill includes a ‘Section 28-style’ clause that will outlaw any objective, factual or sympathetic mention of homosexuality in schools. It is feared that gay teachers may be sacked,” said Mr Allison.
Polish junior education Minister, Miroslaw Orzechowski, told a recent press conference that the new law will: “punish whoever promotes homosexuality or any other deviance of a sexual nature in educational establishments.”
Maeve McGoldrick, the 23-years old spokesperson for the protest organisers, the British Youth Council, said that the United Kingdom had strong bi-lateral relation with Poland.
“We call on the UK government to take action within the EU and the Council of Europe to challenge Poland's anti-gay policies.
“Our embassy protest will be uniting with campaigners internationally in a worldwide minute of noise, paying tribute to all those who have suffered at the hands of homophobia,” she added.
Derek Lennard, IDAHO UK coordinator welcomed a youth organisation organising a high-profile event on Thursday.
“It is extremely important to stand up for the human rights of victimised people in a neighbouring European country,” he said. We have to ensure that the Polish lesbian and gay community is not discriminated against by its government.
“We urge everyone who feels strongly about Polish homophobia to join us on May 17,” he said.
On the April 25, Members of European Parliament called on the Polish government to abandon the homophobic clause in the new Education Bill, which outlaws the so-called “promotion” of homosexuality in schools.
In response the European Parliament asked the Polish government to “publicly condemn and take measures against declarations by public leaders inciting discrimination and hatred based on sexual orientation”.
“Polish government ministers refused point blank to accept or debate these criticisms,” said gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of OutRage!, who will join Thursday’s protest.
“We are urging the UK and EU to pressure the Polish government to halt its anti-gay repression and to respect international norms of human rights.
"The EU and Council of Europe should threaten Poland with sanctions if it goes ahead with the new anti-gay law.
"We call on the British government, MPs and the gay community to protest to the Polish Ambassador in London,” said Mr Tatchell.
In a “blocking” mover prior to the European Parliament debate, most Polish MEPs stormed out of the chamber when their resolution to have the debate removed from the agenda of the plenary session was rejected. Many UK Conservative MEPs voted with the Poles in trying to block the debate.
The demonstration on Thursday is scheduled between 12 noon and 2pm. The Polish Embassy is located at 47 Portland Place, W1B 1JH. The nearest underground stations are Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria and Bakerloo lines) or Great Portland Street (Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith-City line). Note: Regent’s Park (Bakerloo line) is CLOSED until June.
■ If you are unable to attend the demonstration, you are asked to make your feelings know to the Polish Ambassador at Embassy of the Republic of Poland, 47 Portland Place, London, W1B 1JH. Telephone 0870 774 2700, Fax 0207 291 35 75 and 0207 291 35 76 or email: polishembassy (at) polishembassy. org.uk
