PES Women and Rainbow Rose strongly condemn so-called “LGBTI free zones” in Poland and regressive legislation that further marginalises women and sexual minorities.

In a joint letter to the presidents of the European Commission, European Council and the Committee of the Regions, the women’s organisation and LGBTI network of the PES urge the EU institutions to hold the PiS-led government to account.

In 2019 dozens of local governments in Poland pledged to end tolerance of LGBTI people and withhold funding for civil society organisations advocating equal rights. Now, half a year later, not enough action has been taken to stop this discrimination.

Polish MEP and Polish presidential candidate Robert Biedron said:

“The current political narrative in Poland, which the ruling Law and Justice Party has been cultivating for months, has led to the stigmatisation of and generated attacks against LGBTI+ persons. Dozens of local governments have adopted resolutions creating LGBTI+ “free zones” and openly promote homophobia.  Although the European Community has already criticised those shameful developments, much more has to be done. Polish citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, need to know that they are not alone. There must be zero tolerance for social segregation in Europe.”

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