Polish Law and Justice Party confirms it’s still homophobic despite joining forces with the Tories in Europe
A Polish Law and Justice Party (PiS) MEP has refuted statements made by former Tory leader William Hague that the party has changed its views on gay rights.
In June, the Conservatives Party joined with the party in Europe. The Polish party has been accused of homophobia, antisemitism and racism.
Following the announcement, shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the BBC that criticisms that the party is homophobic are “out of date and ill-informed”.
“The Law and Justice Party in Poland is a party that is committed to be against discrimination, for equality under the law. Its president has been praised for actually promoting greater tolerance in Polish society, so that is actually the true position,” he said.
However, one of the Polish party’s MEPs has claimed the party is stll against gay marriage, gay adoption and the mention of homosexuality in schools.
Konrad Szymanskitold Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita: “We won’t apologise because there is nothing to apologise for. Of course personally I don’t have to agree with [David Cameron]. PiS holds the view that homosexuality should not be promoted in schools.
“From what I know, many British Conservatives don’t agree with him on this either.”
In the interview, translated by ukgaynews.org.uk, he added: “We have already agreed that in these matters we will each keep to our own convictions.
“Law and Justice has a clear stand on this issue – we are against both homosexual marriages and the adoption of children by gays and lesbians. That is how our Euro MEPs will always vote.
“If some Tories happen to have a different view on this, then this grouping will not be voting unanimously on these issues…..”
The Law and Justice Party, headed by the nation’s president Lech Kaczynski and his twin brother Jaroslaw Kaczynski, has a reputation for homophobia. Jaroslaw Kaczynski said in 2008: “The affirmation of homosexuality will lead to the downfall of civilisation. We can’t agree to it.”
One of the party’s senior MPs is reported to have described the election of Barack Obama as marking the “end of white man’s civilisation”. He has now been disowned by the party. Law and Justice has also banned gay Pride marches, calling them obscene.
