“We strongly condemn any form of discrimination, or violence on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, which go against the fundamental values of the EU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.”

Almost 100 municipalities in southeastern Poland have adopted resolutions that rights groups say create hostile spaces for members of the LGBT community. Activists have created an “Atlas of Hate” map showing the regions.

In December, the European Parliament issued a resolution “strongly condemning ‘LGBTI-free zones in Poland’”.

The spokesperson said the European Commission was “taking note” of the European Parliament resolution, “which we will study closely”. It will also continue to follow the situation in Poland.

The spokesperson referred to a speech made on February 4 by Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality, at a European Parliament intergroup meeting on the EU and LGBTI rights.

“The most worrying phenomenon for me is the growing number of violent attacks against LGBTI people — such as attacks on Pride marches, the distribution of stickers to mark whole neighbourhoods and cities as LGBTI free zones, and the adoption of anti-LGBTI resolutions,” Commissioner Dalli said in the speech.

“These actions are clearly aiming to intimidate and spread fear with the aim to acquire cheap political gains at the costs of vulnerable minorities.”

Dalli added: “Let me be very clear: we cannot allow the distribution of LGBTI free zone stickers, or the adoption of anti-LGBTI resolutions and not feel responsible for the next phase where physical attacks that take place, even if they are then carried out by other people.

“In this context, let me reiterate again that the Commission condemns any form of violence, hatred or discrimination against LGBTI people, and that it will not hesitate to take any necessary action within the limits conferred to it by the Treaties.”

On February 26, the Spanish Ministry of Equality issued a condemnation of the Polish resolutions, writing on Twitter: “We condemn these resolutions which make the human rights of the LGBTI community vulnerable, spread the discourse of hatred and legitimise, on an institutional level, LGBTI-phobia.”