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Minority Rights After EU Enlargement: a Comparison of Antigay Politics in Poland and Latvia
Original Article Minority rights after EU enlargement: A comparison of antigay politics in Poland and Latvia Conor O’Dwyer* and Katrina Z.S. Schwartz Department of Political Science, University of Florida, 234 Anderson Hall, PO Box 117325, Gainesville, Florida 32611-7325, USA. E-mails: [email protected], [email protected] *Corresponding author. Abstract This paper examines the recent backlash against gay rights in Poland and Latvia as a test case of the depth and breadth of ‘europeanization’ in the new postcommunist member-states of the European Union (EU). We argue that antigay mobilization in these countries constitutes illiberal governance (and thus a failure of europeanization) on three grounds: failure of institutional protections for sexual minorities, broad inclusion of illiberal elites in mainstream politics and virulence of antigay rhetoric by political elites in the public sphere. To explain the stalled europeanization of nondiscrimination norms regarding sexual minorities, we apply two analytical models widely used to explain successful norm adoption in other policy areas: the ‘external incentives’ and ‘social learning’ models. We find that in the case of gay rights, EU conditionality was weak, and national identity and ‘resonance’ operated against norm adoption, as did domestic institutions (namely, weakly institutionalized party systems). The EU might have overcome these obstacles through persuasion, but deliberative processes were lacking. Our analysis suggests that some of the key factors underlying both models of norm adoption operate differently in the new, postaccession context, and that social learning is likely to play a greater role in postaccession europeanization. Comparative European Politics (2010) 8, 220–243. doi:10.1057/cep.2008.31 Keywords: Latvia; Poland; sexual minorities; European Union; europeanization; illiberalism Introduction In May 2004, Poland and Latvia joined the European Union (EU), ending a long process in which the strength of their democratic institutions was carefully tested and validated by the European Commission. -
The State of Artistic Freedom 2021
THE STATE OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM 2021 THE STATE OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM 2021 1 Freemuse (freemuse.org) is an independent international non-governmental organisation advocating for freedom of artistic expression and cultural diversity. Freemuse has United Nations Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC) and Consultative Status with UNESCO. Freemuse operates within an international human rights and legal framework which upholds the principles of accountability, participation, equality, non-discrimination and cultural diversity. We document violations of artistic freedom and leverage evidence-based advocacy at international, regional and national levels for better protection of all people, including those at risk. We promote safe and enabling environments for artistic creativity and recognise the value that art and culture bring to society. Working with artists, art and cultural organisations, activists and partners in the global south and north, we campaign for and support individual artists with a focus on artists targeted for their gender, race or sexual orientation. We initiate, grow and support locally owned networks of artists and cultural workers so their voices can be heard and their capacity to monitor and defend artistic freedom is strengthened. ©2021 Freemuse. All rights reserved. Design and illustration: KOPA Graphic Design Studio Author: Freemuse Freemuse thanks those who spoke to us for this report, especially the artists who took risks to take part in this research. We also thank everyone who stands up for the human right to artistic freedom. Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of February 2021. -
Anti-Discrimination Education: We Shall Not Give Up! Advocacy in Times
Anti-discrimination education: We shall not give up! Advocacy in times of rise of hateful rhetoric, shrinking civic space and erosion of democratic standards in Poland October 2019 1 Executive summary This report is addressed to civil society activists, decision makers in international institutions and funders interested in supporting advocacy for the anti-discrimination education in the context of shrinking civic space and political backlash. It presents key findings from the research conducted by The Anti-Discrimination Education Society (TEA) on the space for education-focused and rights- based advocacy after the right-wing conservative Law and Justice Party (PiS) took power in Poland in the general elections of 2015. Since that time, Poland has seen systematic and strategic efforts to undermine human rights and the rule of law, introduction of regressive laws and policy measures to reinforce traditional gender roles, scapegoating migrants, refugees and LGBTQI communities, and a rising tide of hate and discrimination. Consequently, the civic space for human rights activists and anti-discrimination educators has drastically shrunken and the rights they promote and uphold are under concerted attack. The Law and Justice Party’s rule has provoked a rise of a massive opposition in the streets, whilst civil society advocates have started exploring and/or developing new strategies and new approaches. For example: • Advocacy at a local level with local governments, which are in opposition to the Law and Justice Party and state their support -
Of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia
OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANS AND INTERSEX PEOPLE IN EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA FIND THIS REPORT ONLINE: WWW.ILGA-EUROPE.ORG THIS REVIEW COVERS THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2019. Rue du Trône/Troonstraat 60 Brussels B-1050 Belgium Tel.: +32 2 609 54 10 Fax: + 32 2 609 54 19 [email protected] www.ilga-europe.org Design & layout: Maque Studio, www.maque.it ISBN 978-92-95066-11-3 FIND THIS REPORT ONLINE: WWW.ILGA-EUROPE.ORG Co-funded by the Rights Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme 2014-2020 of the European Union This publication has been produced with the financial support of the Rights Equality and Citizenship (REC) programme 2014-2020 of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of ILGA-Europe and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANS, AND INTERSEX PEOPLE COVERING THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS KAZAKHSTAN INTRODUCTION KOSOVO* A NOTE ON DATA COLLECTION AND PRESENTATION KYRGYZSTAN HIGHLIGHTS, KEY DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS LATVIA INSTITUTIONAL REVIEWS LIECHTENSTEIN LITHUANIA EUROPEAN UNION LUXEMBOURG UNITED NATIONS MALTA COUNCIL OF EUROPE MOLDOVA ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE MONACO MONTENEGRO COUNTRY REVIEWS NETHERLANDS ALBANIA NORTH MACEDONIA ANDORRA NORWAY A ARMENIA POLAND AUSTRIA PORTUGAL AZERBAIJAN ROMANIA BELARUS RUSSIA BELGIUM SAN MARINO BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SERBIA BULGARIA SLOVAKIA -
Ruled by Law
RULED BY LAW THREATS TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN POLAND IN 2015-2019 RULED BY LAW THREATS TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN POLAND IN 2015-2019 Authors Małgorzata Szuleka, Marcin Wolny in cooperation with Maciej Kalisz Our thanks go to Danuta Przywara, Maciej Nowicki, Dr Piotr Kładoczny, Dr Barbara Grabowska-Moroz, Jarosław Jagura, Konrad Siemaszko, Patryk Wachowiec and Daniel Witko for their assistance and comments on the first versions of this report. Graphic design and layout Marta Borucka Cover photo Jan Kolar / unsplash Edition I Publication available under the Creative Commons license. Acknowledgment of authorship under the same conditions 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0) Legal status: 15th September 2019 Publisher Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights ul. Zgoda 11 00-018 Warszawa CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................... 5 Summary of events in the years 2015–2019 ........................................ 7 The parliamentary elections in October, 2015 .............................................. 7 Information on the most important systemic changes ...................................... 8 The shrinking space for human rights ...................................................... 9 Calendar of changes .......................................................................10 A crisis in the rule of law – attacks on the judiciary ...............................13 Changes in the Constitutional Tribunal ...................................................13 Changes to the Supreme -
The Polish Paradox: from a Fight for Democracy to the Political Radicalization and Social Exclusion
social sciences $€ £ ¥ Article The Polish Paradox: From a Fight for Democracy to the Political Radicalization and Social Exclusion Zofia Kinowska-Mazaraki Department of Studies of Elites and Political Institutions, Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Polna 18/20, 00-625 Warsaw, Poland; [email protected] Abstract: Poland has gone through a series of remarkable political transformations over the last 30 years. It has changed from a communist state in the Soviet sphere of influence to an autonomic prosperous democracy and proud member of the EU. Paradoxically, since 2015, Poland seems to be heading rapidly in the opposite direction. It was the Polish Solidarity movement that started the peaceful revolution that subsequently triggered important democratic changes on a worldwide scale, including the demolition of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of Communism and the end of Cold War. Fighting for freedom and independence is an important part of Polish national identity, sealed with the blood of generations dying in numerous uprisings. However, participation in the democratic process is curiously limited in Poland. The right-wing, populist Law and Justice Party (PiS) won elections in Poland in 2015. Since then, Poles have given up more and more freedoms in exchange for promises of protection from different imaginary enemies, including Muslim refugees and the gay and lesbian community. More and more social groups are being marginalized and deprived of their civil rights. The COVID-19 pandemic has given the ruling party a reason to further limit the right of assembly and protest. Polish society is sinking into deeper and deeper divisions. -
Pride Against Prejudice September 2006
Prides against Prejudice A toolkit for pride organising in a hostile environment Prepared by ILGA-Europe for the EuroPride London 06 Prides against Prejudice conference The European Region of the International Lesbian and Gay Association rue de la Charité 17 1210 Brussels Belgium Telephone: + 32 2 609 54 10 Fax: + 32 2 609 54 19 [email protected] www.ilga-europe.org Layout: Silja Pogule www.siljadesign.lv Printer: Sofadi www.sofadi.be © ILGA-Europe Reproduction permitted, provided that appropriate reference is made to the source. This handbook is published with the support of the European Commission – The European Union against discrimination. The information contained in this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission. Prides against Prejudice A toolkit for pride organising in a hostile environment September 2006 Prepared by ILGA-Europe for the EuroPride London 06 Prides against Prejudice conference Prides against Prejudice A toolkit for pride organising in a hostile environment Prepared by ILGA-Europe for the EuroPride London 06 Prides against Prejudice conference With the support of Amnesty International UK, Pride London and The European Pride Organisers’ Association And with financial support from UNISON, the UK’s trades union for people working in the public services ILGA-Europe would like to thank the following for their contributions: Marta Abramowicz (Campaign against Homophobia, Poland) Ruth Bashall (Regard, UK) Sanda Brumen (Lesbian Group Kontra, Croatia) Florin Buhuceanu (ACCEPT, -
Tip of the Iceberg: Religious Extremist Funders Against Human Rights for Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Europe 2009 - 2018
TIP OF THE ICEBERG Religious Extremist Funders against Human Rights for Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Europe 2009 - 2018 TIP OF THE ICEBERG Religious Extremist Funders against Human Rights for Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Europe 2009 – 2018 ISBN: 978 2 93102920 6 Tip of the Iceberg: Religious Extremist Funders against Human Rights for Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Europe 2009 - 2018 Written by Neil Datta, Secretary of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. Brussels, June 2021 Copyright © EPF 2021 All Rights Reserved. The contents of this document cannot be reproduced without prior permission of the author. EPF is a network of members of parliaments from across Europe who are committed to protecting the sexual and reproductive health of the world’s most vulnerable people, both at home and overseas. We believe that women should always have the right to decide upon the number of children they wish to have, and should never be denied the education or other means to achieve this that they are entitled to. Find out more on epfweb.org and by following @EPF_SRR on Twitter. 2 TIP OF THE ICEBERG Religious Extremist Funders against Human Rights for Sexuality and Reproductive Health in Europe 2009 – 2018 Tip of the Iceberg is the first attempt understand the anti-gender mobilisation in Europe through the perspective of their funding base. This report assembles financial data covering a ten year period of over 50 anti-gender actors operating in Europe. It then takes a deeper look at how religious extremists generate this funding to roll back human rights in sexuality and reproduction. -
Apoyo Homofobiaue2.Pdf
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II - The Social Situation DISCLAIMER: The data and information used for this report were provided by COWI and The Danish Institute for Human Rights. The responsibility for its conclusions and opinions lies with the FRA Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II - The Social Situation Foreword On December 18 2008 the UN General Assembly heard a strong declaration drafted by France and The Netherlands on behalf of the European Union and co-sponsored by sixty-six countries from all regions. It called for the global decriminalization of homosexuality and condemned human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In the European Union Article 13 of the EC Treaty prohibits any discrimination based on sexual orientation and the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights is the first international human rights charter to explicitly include the term “sexual orientation”. The legal study we published in June 2008 shows that 18 EU Member States already provide quite comprehensive protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. In July 2008, the European Commission proposed stronger EU wide protection against discrimination on all grounds. The social situation, however, is worrying. In recent years a series of events in EU Member States, such as the banning of Pride marches, hate speech from politicians and intolerant statements by religious leaders, have sent alarming signals and sparked a new debate about the extent of homophobia and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered persons in the European Union. -
Conspiracy Theories and the Polarized Polish Press
European Studies - Master of Arts Lund University First Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tomas Sniegon (Lund University) Second Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Michael Butter (University of Tübingen) Conspiracy Theories and the Polarized Polish Press Systemic and Event Conspiracy Narratives in Polish Daily Newspapers during the Presidential Election Campaign in 2020 Olivia Rachwol Submitted: May 2021 Word count: 22.720 Abstract This master’s thesis takes its cue from Polish sociologist Franciszek Czech (2019), who ar- gued that the saturation of Polish magazines with conspiracy narratives suggests a deep po- larization of the Polish society on a political level. Systemic and event conspiracy narratives frequently featured in media outlets both associated with the ruling Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (PiS) and its opposition Platforma Obywatelska (PO) as the PiS’ biggest opponent. Conspir- acy theories can create doubt about political opponents and their integrity and unfold a con- siderable danger to democracy. Although PiS, which in English translates to Law and Jus- tice, and PO, also known as Civic Platform, are both conservative parties, most of the Poles usually end up favoring one over the other as the PO is liberal conservative while the PiS is national conservative. Regular public contestation between these two influential parties has provoked the Polish people to further divide into two main blocs. This trend has affected the political atmosphere in Poland in a way that has further propelled political polarization in the domestic sphere, with conspiracy theories and suspicion toward one another being one of its symptoms. To complement previous studies that have focused on weekly magazines, this study has investigated the construction of articles with partisan conspiracist content through the lens of Shenhav’s Social Narrative Analysis. -
Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States
Cover Homophobia Reports Part I and II-final draft.qxp 08.07.2009 16:19 Seite 2 TK-30-09-002-EN-C Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States: Part II - The Social Situation 2009 FRA - European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights A-1040 Wien, Schwarzenbergplatz 11 Tel.: +34 1 580 30 - 0 Fax: 043 1 580 30 - 693 European Union Agency for E-Mail [email protected] http://fra.europa.eu Fundamental Rights Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II – The Social Situation (Updated version) DISCLAIMER: The data and information contained in this report were provided by COWI and The Danish Institute for Human Rights. The responsibility for the conclusions and opinions lies with the FRA. Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States Part II – The Social Situation Foreword On December 18 2008 the UN General Assembly heard a strong declaration drafted by France and The Netherlands on behalf of the European Union and co-sponsored by sixty-six countries from all regions. It called for the global decriminalization of homosexuality and condemned human rights violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In the European Union Article 13 of the EC Treaty prohibits any discrimination based on sexual orientation and the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights is the first international human rights charter to explicitly include the term “sexual orientation”. The legal study we published in June 2008 shows that 18 EU Member States already provide quite comprehensive protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. -
14. Tolerantia Awards in Bern Verliehen
// Newsletter #32 // September / Oktober 2019 S. 2 Würdigung 14. TOLERANTIA AWARDS IN BERN VERLIEHEN S. 19 S. 23 S. 27 S. 34 Opferhilfe Justiz Im Regenbogenkiez Aufruf zum Mitmachen HASS FÄLLE FÜR DIE NACHTBÜRGER- AUFRÄUMEN IM IM NETZ STAATSANWALTSCHAFT MEISTER TIERGARTEN Foto: 05.10.19, Bern – In der Rathaushalle der Stadt Bern (v.l.n.r.): Aisling Twomey, Advocacy Officer des Rainbow Projects aus Nordirland, David Reichlin, Vorstandsmitglied von Pink Cross, Roman zösischen Preisträger des Tolerantia Awards 2019 Collective des Intersexes et Alliés, Jérémy Falédam, Co-Präsident von SOS homophobie, Christa Arnet, MANEO-Beiratsmitglied und Mitglied Heggli, Geschäftsführer von Pink Cross, Henry Hohmann, Preisträger des Schweizer Tolerantia Awards 2019, Sara Canning, Lebenspartnerin der ermordeten Lyra McKee, der nordirischen Preis- der MANEO-Jury, Liz Grant (OBE), Vertreterin von Open for Business, Preisträger aus Deutschland, Thorsten Manske, Vizepräsident von Hertha BSC und Mitglied der MANEO-Jury, Karl von Rohr, trägerin des Tolerantia Awards 2019, Bartosz Staszewski, polnischer Preisträger des Tolerantia Awards 2019, Yga Kostrzewa, Vorstandsmitglied von Lambda Warszawa, Urs Sager, für den fran- Vizepräsident der Deutschen Bank und für Open for Business, und Bastian Finke, Leiter von MANEO und Leiter der MANEO-Jury. Foto: © David Rosenthal 2 3 Foto: 05.10.19, Bern – In der Rathaushalle der Stadt Bern: Aisling Twomey, Advocacy Officer des Rain- bow Projects aus Nordirland, würdigt die Preisträge- rin Lyra McKee. Foto: © David Rosenthal ie europäischen TOLERANTIA AWARDS werden als Mit den seit 2006 jährlich vergebenen TOLERANTA AWARDS wer- Gemeinschaftspreis der Organisationen MANEO den Personen, Einrichtungen und Gruppen für herausragendes (Deutschland), SOS homophobie (Frankreich), Engagement geehrt. Ihr Engagement betont demokratische Lambda-Warszawa (Polen), The Rainbow Project Prinzipien wie Gleichberechtigung, Solidarität, gesellschaft- (Nordirland) und Pink Cross (Schweiz) vergeben.