Ludford champions International Day Against Homophobia

10.02.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 17th May 2007

Baroness Sarah Ludford, London's Liberal Democrat MEP and member of the European Parliament's gay and lesbian rights 'intergroup' is today taking part part in a demonstration outside the Polish Embassy in London as part of a series of events aimed at raising awareness of LGBT rights on International Day against Homophobia.

Sarah Ludford said:

"I am deeply concerned by the homophobic stance of the Polish government. It is absolutely unacceptable that leaders of an EU member state can ban discussions on homosexuality in schools and colleges, maintain a list of jobs for which homosexuals are 'unfit', or use hate-filled rhetoric to promote intolerance against gay people."

"Today's demonstration will send a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated by EU citizens. Following the recent European Court of Human Rights judgement condemning Poland for banning a gay rights march, the EU institutions must be similarly firm about Polish infringements of European human rights provisions, and ensure that tough measures are taken when a member state fails to implement the letter or spirit of anti-discrimination laws."

Notes to Editors

The demonstration takes place today (17th May) outside the Polish Embassy between 12.00 and 2.30pm.

See link to politics.co.uk article http://tinylink.com/?EVqfWAtSPO