LITHUANIAN GAY LEAGUE WELCOMES DECISION TO CHECK THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE HOMOPHOBIC LAW JULY 15, 2009
Press release by Lithuanian gay league (LGL)
Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) welcomes decision by the Liberals Movement Political Group of Lithuanian Parliament to file and appeal with the Constitutional Court of Lithuania concerning the compliance of the adopted Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information with constitutional norms of freedom of expression and right to get information.
A bill will ban from schools, internet and public places information that agitates for homosexual or bisexual relations from March 2010.
At the same time, LGL is deeply concerned that new anti-gay amendments will be considered in the autumn session of the Lithuanian Parliament. The amendments of penal and administrative codes suggest that a private or legal person propagating homosexual relationships in public areas is committing a criminal action to be punished either by public works, or by a fine up to 1500 Euros, or by arrestment.
Vladimir Simonko, chair of the Lithuanian Gay League says: “These heavy homophobia driven laws codify discrimination based on sexual orientation, deny freedom of expression, and inhibit LGBT persons’ rights to education, information and every day life. Panic fear of the Baltic Pride event planned in Vilnius for May 7 - 9, 2010 overshadows clear violation of international and European human rights law to which Lithuania is a party”.
|
