Homophobic legislation is making its way through Lithuania Parliament
15/11/2010
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Submitted by ILGA-Europe
Homophobic legislation is making its way through Lithuania Parliament
PRESS RELEASE
On 12 November the Lithuanian Parliament voted in favour of a proposal by Petras Gražulis, a member of the „Order and Justice“ parliamentary fraction, to make “promotion” of homosexuality an offence punishable by fine of 2,000 to 10,000 litas.
“The essence of my proposal is to ban public promotion of homosexual relations. I think, it would solve many problems, there would be no more permits for various gay parades, no tensions for the society and we, members of Seimas, wouldn’t need to climb over fences fighting against social perversions,” Mr Grazulis was saying to the Parliament.
The parliamentarian was referring to the infamous incident during the “Baltic Pride” march in May, when Mr Grazulis and another MP Kazimieras Uoka tried to break through the police fences. The two were to be prosecuted, but the Parliament voted against stripping them of their legal immunity.
This is not the first case of legislations tampering with the rights of homosexual people. In June, the Parliament passed a notorious Law of the Protection of Minors Against Negative Public Information. Originally, it contained a provision explicitly banning any information on homosexuality and only after huge international pressure was the law slightly modified.
Before the final vote in the Parliament, the bill will be debated in the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Human Rights.
“Once again, the Lithuanian parliamentarians are demonstrating their complete disregard for human rights and the values of democracy. It’s yet another sign of the new round of homophobic legislations that might be coming,” said Artūras Rudomanskis, chairman of a Lithuanian NGO, the Tolerant Youth Association.
The offered alteration to the Code of Administrative Violations was voted supported by 31 MPs. 7 MPs voted against and 21 abstained.
The parliamentary fractions that voted for the bill were Labour, “Order and Justice” and Christian Party as well as some members from the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political party and Social Democrats.
The Liberals Movement voted uniformly against it. Most members of the ruling Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political party abstained.
Further voting on the proposed law is scheduled for 16 December.
For more information regarding the case please contact:
Tolerant Youth Association
international@tja.lt
+370 683 04748
PRESS RELEASE
On 12 November the Lithuanian Parliament voted in favour of a proposal by Petras Gražulis, a member of the „Order and Justice“ parliamentary fraction, to make “promotion” of homosexuality an offence punishable by fine of 2,000 to 10,000 litas.
“The essence of my proposal is to ban public promotion of homosexual relations. I think, it would solve many problems, there would be no more permits for various gay parades, no tensions for the society and we, members of Seimas, wouldn’t need to climb over fences fighting against social perversions,” Mr Grazulis was saying to the Parliament.
The parliamentarian was referring to the infamous incident during the “Baltic Pride” march in May, when Mr Grazulis and another MP Kazimieras Uoka tried to break through the police fences. The two were to be prosecuted, but the Parliament voted against stripping them of their legal immunity.
This is not the first case of legislations tampering with the rights of homosexual people. In June, the Parliament passed a notorious Law of the Protection of Minors Against Negative Public Information. Originally, it contained a provision explicitly banning any information on homosexuality and only after huge international pressure was the law slightly modified.
Before the final vote in the Parliament, the bill will be debated in the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Committee on Human Rights.
“Once again, the Lithuanian parliamentarians are demonstrating their complete disregard for human rights and the values of democracy. It’s yet another sign of the new round of homophobic legislations that might be coming,” said Artūras Rudomanskis, chairman of a Lithuanian NGO, the Tolerant Youth Association.
The offered alteration to the Code of Administrative Violations was voted supported by 31 MPs. 7 MPs voted against and 21 abstained.
The parliamentary fractions that voted for the bill were Labour, “Order and Justice” and Christian Party as well as some members from the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political party and Social Democrats.
The Liberals Movement voted uniformly against it. Most members of the ruling Homeland Union - Lithuanian Christian Democrat Political party abstained.
Further voting on the proposed law is scheduled for 16 December.
For more information regarding the case please contact:
Tolerant Youth Association
international@tja.lt
+370 683 04748
