right??? what a concept...
Posted on 01/13/2006 3:39:53 PM PST by lizol
MEPs demand EU clampdown on homophobia
The European Parliament is calling for tough action against EU member states that fail to uphold the human rights of homosexuals.
MEPs from all the main political groups have tabled resolutions condemning moves by several EU countries, including Poland, Latvia and Lithuania, which they believe stigmatise gays and lesbians.
“We need to fight across Europe for similar equality but worryingly, many European countries are not nearly at this stage,” said Michael Cashman, the British Labour MEP.
“Gay pride marches are still being banned, political and religious leaders are using the language of hate and menace and police are failing to protect peaceful demonstrations and break up violent unrest by homophobic groups.”
Polish president Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz last year claimed that homosexuality is “unnatural” and several gay pride marchers were arrested for attending “illegal demonstrations”.
Marcinkiewicz also called for the abolition of a Polish organisation fighting discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Meanwhile, Latvia and Lithuania have both proposed legislation banning same-sex marriages.
MEPs have ordered the European Commission to explain what sanctions will be taken against countries that persistently breach the principle of respect for human rights.
“Where EU countries breach the human rights of gay and lesbian people, the council of ministers must consider action to suspend member states’ membership of the EU,” said Cashman.
“We need the commission to tell us how many EU governments are failing to adhere to anti-discrimination legislation and what they intend to do about those who are ignoring it.”
Vice-President Franco Frattini is expected to be in Strasbourg on Monday to reiterate the commission’s determination to stamp out homophobia.
But he is likely to stop short of an outright condemnation of Warsaw’s actions.
The Italian was only appointed commissioner for justice and freedom in November 2004 after his compatriot, Rocco Buttiglione, was forced out the post by MEPs for his own outspoken views.
Parliament was so incensed by Buttiglione’s claims that homosexuality was “a sin” that it refused to endorse the entire ‘college’ of 25 commissioners until he was replaced.
Buttiglione refused to apologise for his beliefs, and it is the same militant Catholicism that appears to motivate the political leaders in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
But any political moves to ban, marginalise or criminalise homosexuality are likely to be met by fierce opposition both at home as well as in Brussels.
Courts in Poland have already refused to begin criminal proceedings against the protestors arrested in November, arguing that they had not acted illegally.
Geez, I would have guessed that "homophobia" was the least of Europe's problems right now.
I guarantee you that Islamic/Arabic nations will be conveniently overlooked in this "clampdown".
Buttiglione refused to apologise for his beliefs, and it is the same militant Catholicism that appears to motivate the political leaders in Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Militant Catholicism.
Believing an action condemned by your church as a sin is actually a sin is a sign of militancy.
Maybe the ones in this Country would like to relocate to Europe?
Always thought the EU was a bad idea which is turning out to be true!
I wonder what the EU will think when a majority of its MEPs are Mohammadens?
What about upholding the rights of heterosexuals?
"I guarantee you that Islamic/Arabic nations will be conveniently overlooked in this "clampdown"."
Out of respect for their religion, that's all. These people revere Islam.
"Geez, I would have guessed that "homophobia" was the least of Europe's problems right now."
The Left knows what it's doing here. Poland, Lithuania, etc.---these countries represent a tower of cultural strength. It is important to to attack them sharply and quickly---before anybody in Europe gets the idea that there is an alternative to cultural suicide. Their instincts about Catholics are also correct. Look at the effect Poland had on the Soviet Empire! they could have the same affect on the Leftist Regime in the EU.
I, on the other hand rather like Catholics (I'm Jewish myself). It has been noted that the Supreme Court is getting pretty Catholic these days. I think Catholics are well-suited to sit on the Supreme Court. Their religious view, based essentially on a series of written statements by the pope---is good preparation for being a strict constructionist judge.
right??? what a concept...
I agree entirely.
Good statement by Strategofr.
L
Continuing on the subject of Poland, what we are clearly seeing these days is, in effect, the formation of a Christian, conservative, free market alliance bloc between Poland and the Baltic States and in time perhaps Ukraine. This will be, in effect, the restoration in modern times of the medieval Grand Duchy of Livonia which extended from Riga to Lvov.
Twenty years from now the Grand Duchy of Livonia will be the moral center of what is left of European civilization.
This is only questionable because the EU shouldn't really be imposing its view on member states and should confine itself to being a trading block.
A lot of us on this side of the pond don't really understand why a civilised country like the US seems to have an obsession with homosexuality.
In other parts of the world, including eastern Europe, this is usually the signature of nations who have just been freed from oppresive regimes and are still coming to terms with the whole idea of individual freedom.
I don't really understand it.
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