Global Community Gathers in Russia | 50 comments (50 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Global Community Gathers in Russia (none / 0)

Posted earlier @BooMan to a comment by esquimaux

From t.A.T.u. to Trump, do Western portrayals of 'gay' Russia miss the point?
Russia became public enemy number #1 amongst the liberal gay community, bringing out a generalised Russophobic sentiment that played on Cold War era tropes in much the same way as has been in evidence since the 2016 US election. We have always been trendsetters. Arch-liberal gay writer Dan Savage called for the boycott of Soviet-developed Stolichnaya vodka, despite the fact the brand is based in Luxembourg, and is a vocal supporter of LGBT rights organisations in the US, Europe and Russia. No matter, said Savage, "Stoli is a Russian vodka." Pro-gay solidarity protests were heavy on Soviet-era political imagery, with a number of design contests to produce campaign posters for the Sochi Olympics featuring subverted Stalinist and post-Stalinist era posters, with the aid of rainbow flags and pro-gay slogans.

But how about our "allies", the former East European Soviet satellite states and their xenophobic and homophobic behavior? From the Baltic states thru Poland to Romania and Hungary.

○ Poland's Supreme Court rules against printer who refused to make banners for LGBT+ group
○ We're down to 74 countries where homosexuality is illegal

Ahem ... now about the U.S. Supreme Court and LGBT rights ... baking a wedding cake!

○ Supreme Court rules narrowly for Colorado baker who wouldn't make same-sex wedding cake

It's all about freedom .... sure!

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jun 16th, 2018 at 09:10:49 PM EST

Minister Criticizes Ruling Supreme Court (none / 0)

Deputy Minister Marcin Warchoł sharply about the SN. "Promotes a totalitarian system" [Google translation]
The Supreme Court dismissed the cassation of Prosecutor General Zbigniew Ziobro regarding the printer from Łódź. The case was referred to by the deputy minister of justice. According to him, the decision of the Supreme Court is "rape on conscience"
Recall: on Thursday the Supreme Court, after hearing the cassation brought by the prosecutor general in favor of Adam J, dismissed her. He decided that the man could not refuse to do the roll-up for the LGBT foundation.
- The Supreme Court ruled against freedom - Zbigniew Ziobro said after the judgment of the Supreme Court. The Minister of Justice stressed that the printer did not want to stigmatize homosexuals, but refused to print posters that promote their environment.
However, this is not all. The case was addressed by Deputy Minister of Justice Marcin Warchoł. - The Supreme Court promotes a totalitarian system in which judges as an extraordinary caste fully control society and try to oversee all aspects of public and private life as much as possible - said Warchoł in an interview with the niezalezna.pl portal.

Wiceminister @marcinwarchol dla @wPolscepl o sprawie łódzkiego drukarza: Sędziowie przenoszą swoje poglądy na orzeczenie, które powinno być niezależne. WIDEO https://t.co/RYOjRxlHoW
— wPolityce.pl (@wPolityce_pl) June 15, 2018

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Jun 16th, 2018 at 09:11:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

EU Commission Invoking Article 7 on Poland (none / 0)

Poland could be referred to ECJ over controversial judicial reforms
The sweeping legislation, which is due to come into force on 3 July, would lead to the enforced retirement of judges over 65, and allow the ruling Law and Justice Party (PiS) to enact a series of reshuffles within the country's highest courts, allegedly to strengthen its grip on power.
Critics say that the reforms are merely an attempt by PiS to cement its grip on power in the country.
Judicial reform in Poland was debated in plenary with European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans this week.
MEPs have joined Polish NGOs in petitioning the Commission to ask the European Court of Justice for an interim order to halt the changes to the Polish Supreme Court which would force up to 40 per cent of judges into early retirement.
Nobel peace prize winner Lech Wałęsa, professional organisations and artists, plus a group of international law scholars and the Society of Journalists have also sent letters to Commission
President Jean-Claude Juncker calling for the executive to intervene before the new law enters into force next month.
It is said that the law may even depose the court's first president, despite the fact her constitutionally mandated six-year term is not set to end until 2020.
Addressing the plenary in Strasbourg, European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans called the situation "very worrying."

That is why the Commission has asked the Council to organise a formal hearing of Poland under the Article 7(1) procedure. Finding a solution is a matter of common interest for all Member States and EU Institutions.
— Frans Timmermans (@TimmermansEU) June 13, 2018
He said the Commission had asked the Council to organise a formal hearing of Poland in the context of the `Article 7' procedure, which could lead to the suspension of Warsaw's EU voting rights.
"It is the Commission's sincere hope that Poland will now urgently address the key concerns identified by us. In particular, it is indispensable that urgent action be taken by the Polish government to address the situation of the Supreme Court judges before the 3 July - because that is when the decisions about the retirements become final.
EU lawmakers support Article 7 action against Poland | DW |