Polish President Lech Kaczynski has been found guilty of violating the European Convention on Human Rights in a ruling released today by the European Court of Human Rights. Kaczynski was found to have violated the Convention for having banned a homosexual activist "Gay Pride" demonstration in 2005 as the then-Mayor of Warsaw.
A press release by the court noted that in the case known as Baczkowski and Others v. Poland (application no. 1543/06), the court ruled unanimously that there had been:
- a violation of Article 11 (freedom of association and assembly) of the European Convention on Human Rights;
- a violation of Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the Convention; and
- a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination).
The case was launched by the homosexual activist group Foundation for Equality. The ruling was made by seven judges including Judge Lech Garlicki from Poland. Either party may appeal the ruling to another hearing of the full court of 17 judges.
The Court release noted that "it attached particular importance to pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness."
Pro-family observers however scoff at the Court's vision of broadmindedness since in the last few years the court's rulings have demonstrated a hostile closed-mindedness towards those holding traditional life and family values.
In March of this year, the same court ordered Poland to compensate a mother who was denied abortion.
The court also denied an application from two cohabiting sisters to receive tax benefits granted to homosexual couples.
In 2002, the court forced the UK to recognize a man who had had a sex change as a woman and to permit him to marry another man.
Last year the court ruled states may deny parents the right to homeschool their children.
