The Commissioner for Human Rights in Poland successfully intervened in 7 cases (all between October 2018 and October 2019) of violation of freedom of assembly by Mayors, who prohibited Equality (Pride) Parades. The Mayors claimed that the parades cause a risk to public safety – the Commissioner argued that they cannot be banned due to the risk of violence and riots brought by the parades’ opponents. In all seven cases the complaints brought to courts were successful, the Mayors’ decisions were revoked and the Equality Parades were organized. The courts recognized the Commissioner’s reasoning and worked out a standard of equality regarding the enjoyment of freedom of assembly.
