It's a sad state of affairs when a country with a history of being oppressed as deep as Poland's fails to live up to its obligation of respecting fundamental human rights. But such seems to be the case, as several members of the Polish government are stirring up an atmosphere of homophobia and intolerance. The situation is becoming so serious that the European Parliament has sent a resolution to Polish leaders to stop inciting discrimination against homosexuals.
But don't think all Poles (or even all members of the current Polish government) are intolerant or close-minded. It's primarily the ultra-right wing party League of Polish Families that's stirring up the trouble and atmosphere of hate, and particularly some party members who have made it pretty high up in the Polish government. For example, Poland's deputy education minister, Miroslaw Orzechowski, has proposed drafting a law to punish teachers who "promoted" homosexuality. This unfortunate law would abolish the teaching of much-needed tolerance towards homosexuals and different orientations in schools, as well as important lessons about AIDS and safe sex.
EU Parliamentarians have asked Polish authorities to "publicly condemn and take measures against declarations by public leaders inciting discrimination and hatred based on sexual orientation," though it's unknown how seriously this plea will be taken in a right-wing government, as already debate has sparked a walk-out by Polish MEPs. What worries the EU, and many people living in Poland, is that this promotion of intolerance is coming from high-ranking members of government, thus contributing "to a climate in which hatred is regarded as normal," as quoted by Dutch MEP Sophia in't Veld. Only time and future elections will decide if this is the kind of climate the Polish population wants to live in. |