Francisco Guerreiro questions European Commission about detention of LGBTI activists in Poland

Lisbon, 20 August 2020 – The MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) questions the European Union about the mass detention of LGBTI activists in Poland during a protest against the detention of the young activist Malgorzata Szutowich.

The arrest of 48 LGBTI activists on August 8 in Poland follows a homophobic presidential campaign by President Andrzej Duda and declarations by Prime Minister Janusz Kowalski that the entire country should be an "LGBTI free zone".

Faced with this clear violation of the fundamental values of the European Union and disrespect for fundamental rights, Francisco Guerreiro and other MEPs questioned the European Commission whether it intends to condemn the mass detention of these activists and whether it will be subject to threats of veto in the next Multiannual Financial Framework in case it takes action in response to these events.

In October 2019, the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party launched a campaign against LGBTI rights ahead of the October parliamentary elections, which led to more than 100 Polish municipalities declaring themselves "LGBTI-free zones".

Poland was named the most homophobic country in the European Union in ILGA's latest annual report.

See the full question below.

Mass arrest of LGBTI activists in Poland

After more than 100 Polish municipalities declared themselves “LGBTI-free zones”, after an outrageous homophobic presidential campaign by President Duda, after the Polish Minister Janusz Kowalski said the whole of Poland should be an “LGBT-free zone”, the authorities carried, on the 8 August 2020, a mass arrest of 48 LGBTI activists demonstrating against the detention of the young activist Malgorzata Szutowich.

This gross escalation is a clear breach in the EU core values and in the respect of fundamental rights. It spreads fear among LGBTI people in Poland and aims at intimidating Polish LGBTI activists.

1. Does the European Commission condemn the mass arrest of 48 LGBTI activists in Poland on 8 August 2020?
2. Is the European Commission subject to threats of a veto on the next Multiannual Financial Framework in the event that it takes action in response to these events?
3. What concrete actions is the European Commission planning to take to end the continued attacks against LGBTI people in Poland?

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