Compliance of self-proclaimed ‘LGBT-free zones’ in Poland with the principle of non-discrimination and the rule of law in view of the Next Generation EU recovery plan
28.7.2020
Question for written answer E-004430/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Sandro Gozi (Renew), Moritz Körner (Renew), Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (Renew), Olivier Chastel (Renew), Irène Tolleret (Renew), Karen Melchior (Renew), Irena Joveva (Renew), Klemen Grošelj (Renew), Sophia in 't Veld (Renew), Andrus Ansip (Renew), Bart Groothuis (Renew), Linea Søgaard-Lidell (Renew), María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (Renew), Asger Christensen (Renew), Liesje Schreinemacher (Renew), Barry Andrews (Renew), Ilana Cicurel (Renew)
Since 2019, more than 100 Polish regional or local authorities have declared themselves ‘LGBT-free zones’ or adopted regional charters of family values pledging not to take any action to encourage tolerance towards LGBTI people nor provide financial assistance to NGOs promoting equality.
These resolutions are contrary to the spirit of the EU treaties and to the objectives of EU programmes. They represent a threat to the rule of law and LGBTI people’s fundamental freedoms, as they legitimise discrimination and may ultimately fuel further hatred.
On 21 July, the European Council approved the Next Generation EU recovery plan. Paragraph 22 of the Council conclusions stresses the need to protect the rule of law and the Union’s financial interests in accordance with the general principles of the Union Treaties, in particular the values laid out in Article 2 TEU. Paragraph 23 provides that ‘a regime of conditionality to protect the budget and Next Generation EU will be introduced. In this context, the Commission will propose measures in case of breaches for adoption by the Council by qualified majority’.
- 1.What actions does the Commission intend to take to identify subnational policies that jeopardise the rule of law and LGBTI people’s rights?
- 2.How does the Commission intend to prevent regional and local authorities from using EU funds to finance illiberal and anti-LGBTI policies?