EC finds Polish racism and intolerance 'on the rise'

The organisation's fifth report on Poland was published on Tuesday, with the study surveying developments up until 31 December 2014.

“Despite certain advances, in particular the passing of a new anti-discrimination law and measures to make judicial procedures relating to racist crime more effective, a number of problems in Poland continue to give cause for concern, such as the rise of nationalist groups, racism at sports events and intolerance of LGBT persons,” concluded ECRI Chair Christian Ahlund in a statement.

The report argues that “hate speech directed at LGBT persons, including by senior politicians, the mobilisation of extremist groups, occasionally in conjunction with racist football supporters’ associations or foreign nationalist groups and manifestations of racism at sports events all help trivialise and disseminate racism and intolerance.”

Among examples public figures cited in the report is former president Lech Wałęsa, who in March 2013 said that gay MPs should not be allowed to sit on the front bench in parliament, and indeed should perhaps be kept behind a wall.

Meanwhile, the study has recommended “extending the terms of reference of the Anti-Cybercrime Division of the National Police to include monitoring of illegal activities aimed at inciting hatred.”

The ECRI has also encouraged the Polish government to enact legislation or amend existing laws “in order to enshrine in Polish law the equality and dignity of LGBT persons.” (nh)