Poland’s ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is proposing new legislation to further limit sex education, trampling children’s rights to education, health, and information.

The country’s national curriculum is already highly restrictive on these matters, and in parts it’s nonsensical, even dangerous. The official “Preparation for Family Life” course is abstinence-only education. The lesson is basically: don’t even think about anything sexual until you’re married. Because, sure, that’s realistic.

It also includes misinformation about reproductive health and sexuality and perpetuates myths and ugly stereotypes rather than provide evidence-based sex education in line with international and regional standards.

Because the national curriculum is so backward, nongovernmental organizations are often the only providers of comprehensive, scientifically accurate sex education to young people in Poland. The ruling party is now trying to stop this too.

The proposed new legislation, if enacted, would restrict access to schools for these nongovernment organizations providing science-based sex education. Ruling party leader Jarosław Kaczyński says the new law is intended to curb “all sorts of strange ideas.”

But he and his party are the ones with the strange ideas.

It’s well established that quality sex education providing honest, accurate, and inclusive information helps reduce adolescent pregnancy, maternal mortality, and HIV, and promotes healthy relationships. It’s odd that Poland’s leadership doesn’t want that for the country and clings to its unscientific ideology.

And it’s not the first time we’ve seen this in Poland. Regular Daily Brief readers will recall that similar legislation was put forward twice by PiS politician and Minister of Education Przemysław Czarnek. President Andrzej Duda vetoed both efforts, the latter following widespread protests from students, teachers, and civil society groups.

People in Poland understand children have a right to age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education based on scientific evidence. Sadly, what the ruling party keeps giving them instead is radical irrationality – ignorance over information.

It was an immense privilege to be in the courtroom in Senegal on May 30, 2016, when the verdict was read out in the case against one of the most appalling dictators of the latter part of the 20th century. I’ll never forget the scenes of jubilation as victims who fought for years for justice finally had their day of triumph.

The conviction of Hissène Habré, Chad’s president from 1982-90, for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and torture, including sexual violence and rape, was a huge victory for the survivors of his terror and a landmark moment for international justice. Habré was sentenced to life and died in prison in 2021.

Habré is perhaps a somewhat obscure figure these days, particularly in English-speaking countries, but he was the West’s classic “our sonofabitch in Africa.” Backed by Paris and Washington to counter Libya’s dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Habré’s security forces were trained and armed by an unlikely coalition that included Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The conviction of Habré for horrific crimes ought to deliver a lesson to powerful countries that use regional “strong men” as allies and proxies in their foreign policy.

But for the victims – true heroes who fought relentlessly for 25 years to bring Habré and his henchmen to justice – the seven years since the end of the trial have turned jubilation into frustration.

They have yet to receive court-ordered reparations: 7,396 named victims were supposed to get some US$130 million, and they haven’t seen a penny yet.

And time is ticking. Just days before the seventh anniversary of that great day in the courtroom, two more victims’ leaders passed away.

(written by Lisa Maier)

Multiple overlapping crises have been jeopardizing human rights worldwide – just think about the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis, and armed conflicts. 

Over the years, increasing inequality has weakened the political and social structures necessary to tackle these crises.  

That means that governments’ long-term investments in universal social security are more important than ever. 

Social security – or the premise that people should be able to enjoy their rights throughout their lives, regardless of circumstances – is not just a policy but a fundamental human right, safeguarded in various treaties and constitutions around the globe. 

Social security is intricately connected to ensuring access to a decent standard of living and other essential economic, social, and cultural rights, such as protecting people from experiencing poverty, hunger, or homelessness. 

Governments and lenders such as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank should create and support universal social security systems as tools to combat inequality worldwide. 

To address these critically important issues, Development Pathways and HRW have released a new question-and-answer article – for those who’d like to dig deeper.

(compiled by Aiza Rodrigues Akhtar)

• “Crime against humanity”: Rights groups slam severe Taliban restrictions on Afghan women (Le Monde, in English)
• France charges military personnel over 27 migrant deaths in 2021 English Channel tragedy (France 24, in English)
• UK says raised Jimmy Lai security law case with China (Al Jazeera)
• Fresh Details on Russia’s Forcible Transfer of Ukrainian Children (HRW)

It’s that time of the week once again: take out 5-question news quiz!