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27 March 2007
LAW WOULD BAN TALK OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN SCHOOLS
The Polish government's proposed legislation to censor all discussion of homosexuality in schools would "deny children free speech and lifesaving information on HIV/AIDS," said Human Rights Watch.
On 13 March, Deputy Minister of Education Miroslaw Orzechowski said that the government is developing legislation to "punish anyone who promotes homosexuality" in schools and academic institutions. Principals, teachers and students who violate the law could face dismissal, fines and even prison terms. HIV/AIDS educators who address safer sex for homosexuals would be banned from schools, and openly-gay teachers would be fired.
Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski has openly voiced his support for the proposed laws. The legislation could pass through parliament by the end of the month.
Human Rights Watch condemned the proposals. "Polish authorities claim to be protecting families, but in fact they are trying to deny children free speech and lifesaving information on HIV/AIDS," said Scott Long, director of Human Rights Watch's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Rights programme. "Schools should be training grounds for tolerance, not bastions of repression and discrimination."
In a letter to Prime Minister Kaczynski, Human Rights Watch urged him to halt the progress of the proposed legislation, prevent academic censorship and disassociate his administration from rhetoric that promotes discrimination and spreads hatred.
To view the letter, visit: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/03/16/poland15511.htm
(27 March 2007)
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