News from the World - October 2024 🍂

LGBTQ+ Rights

Strengthening LGBTQ+ rights in New South Wales ! 🏳️‍⚧️

A new Equality Act passed by the New South Wales Parliament allows transgender individuals to change their gender without requiring surgical procedures. This progressive step aligns New South Wales more closely with practices in other Australian regions, and it introduces the option of non-binary gender markers. While the legislation is widely welcomed, certain provisions were modified to gain broader support, which led to the removal of some protective measures for LGBTQ+ students and teachers in schools. LGBTQ+ rights advocates commend the significant advancement in transgender rights but highlight gaps in the law concerning discriminatory practices in schools. The new law thus focuses primarily on affirming identity, yet discussions about protecting LGBTQ+ individuals in the private sector remain ongoing. [1]

Roma Minority

Updated Methodology for Collecting Data on Student Ethnicity Raises Concerns ⁉️

At the end of September 2024, Jan Mareš, Chief Director of the Education and Youth Section at the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, sent a letter to primary school principals across the Czech Republic. Accompanying the letter was a cover note from Lucie Fuková, the government commissioner for Roma minority affairs. In this correspondence, they aimed to clarify the legal aspects of ethnic data collection and to refine and standardize its methodology. The goal is to estimate the number of individuals who may face discrimination based on their assumed or actual ethnic background, a measure required of the Czech Republic by European institutions, including in response to the D.H. v. Czech Republic judgment. Without this data collection, the government cannot ascertain whether Roma children are facing segregation in Czech schools.

This data collection effort has been in place since 2015. Thanks to this, we know that Roma students make up 3.6% of all primary school students, with the highest concentration in the Ústí region (12.8%) and less than 1% in Prague. Additionally, one-tenth of Roma students attend schools where Roma constitute 50% or more of the student body. According to the letter, “the entire process is based on a qualified estimate of the number of Roma children, pupils, and students, according to a commonly used definition whereby a Roma individual is someone who identifies as Roma or is regarded as such by a significant part of their surroundings based on real or perceived (anthropological, cultural, or social) indicators.” 7 specific indicators are detailed in the accompanying letter.

Despite collaboration with the Office for Personal Data Protection and the Office of the Public Defender of Rights, and with the entire investigation being strictly anonymized, misinformation began spreading on social media - particularly within the Roma community - that the government intended to compile “lists of Roma.” This concern became so widespread that Lucie Fuková and other respected Roma figures (such as Miroslav Klempár and the umbrella organization RomanoNet) felt the need to clarify the situation repeatedly. [2] [3]

Remaining Category, or What You Shouldn't Miss Either

Iran enforces strict penalties for violating hijab laws 💔

A new law titled "Protection of Family through the Culture of Hijab and Modesty," enacted by Iran's parliament, drastically tightens the requirements for wearing hijabs in Iran. This law imposes severe penalties - including fines, up to 10 years in prison, and restrictions in employment and education - for individuals violating the mandatory dress code. It also mandates stricter regulation of online content that promotes unveiling or criticizes the hijab mandate. Additional measures impose harsh sanctions on private entities failing to enforce this policy. Furthermore, the law grants broad powers to security agencies, such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Ministry of Intelligence, to identify and prosecute offenders. Although President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed opposition to strict enforcement during his campaign, he is required to sign the bill passed by parliament. [4]

Ukraine bans churches affiliated with Russia, sparking concerns for religious freedom ⚖️ ☦️

The Ukrainian parliament has passed a new law banning religious organizations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, raising concerns about potential violations of religious freedom, according to Human Rights Watch. This legislation targets religious organizations with connections to churches or entities based in countries engaged in armed aggression against Ukraine. Under the new law, Ukrainian authorities are authorized to investigate whether Ukrainian religious organizations are affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church; these organizations must sever such ties within 9 months or risk a court-ordered ban on their activities. Although intended to address security threats, HRW warns the law may disproportionately restrict believers' rights. Based on Ukraine's international legal obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Ukrainian government is urged to seek a review of the law, possibly through the Venice Commission. Human Rights Watch calls on Ukraine to carefully distinguish between religious activities and hold accountable only those individuals or organizations that genuinely threaten public order. [5]

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[1] ROSE, Tamsin. New South Wales parliament passes bill to strengthen LGBTQ+ rights. Online. The Guardian. 2024. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/oct/17/new-south-wales-parliament-passes-bill-to-strengthen-lgbti-rights. [cit. 2024-11-02].

[2] KLEMPÁR, Miroslav. Miroslav Klempár: Sběr dat o romských dětech na školách probíhá pravidelně už od roku 2015. Je to potřebný nástroj proti diskriminaci, nikoli tajná agenda Lucie Fukové!. Online. Romea.cz. 2024. Dostupné z: https://romea.cz/cz/komunity/miroslav-klempar-sber-dat-o-romskych-detech-na-skolach-probiha-pravidelne-uz-od-roku-2015-je-to-potrebny-nastroj-proti-diskriminaci-nikoli-tajna-agenda-lucie-fukove. [cit. 2024-11-02].

[3] Anonymní sčítání má zabránit segregaci romských žáků, školám pomůže cílit podporu, říká Fuková a dodává: Spojovat jména s etnicitou? V žádném případě!. Online. Romea.cz. 2024. Dostupné z: https://romea.cz/cz/domaci/anonymni-scitani-ma-zabranit-segregaci-romskych-zaku-skolam-pomuze-cilit-podporu-rika-fukova-a-dodava-spojovat-jmena-s-etnicitou-v-zadnem-pripade. [cit. 2024-11-02].

[4] Iran: New Hijab Law Adds Restrictions and Punishments. Online. Human Rights Watch. 2024. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/14/iran-new-hijab-law-adds-restrictions-and-punishments. [cit. 2024-11-02].

[5] Ukrajina schválila zákon, který zakazuje působení ruské pravoslavné církve. Online. Seznam Zprávy. 2024. Available at: https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/zahranicni-ukrajina-schvalila-zakon-ktery-zakazuje-pusobeni-ruske-pravoslavne-cirkve-258072. [cit. 2024-11-02].