To Mr. Stasys Sedbaras
Chairman of the Committee of Legal Affairs of the Seimas

* * * * *

Dear Mr. Sedbaras,

We are writing to you on behalf of EGALITE which stands for “Equality for Gays And Lesbians In The European institutions”. Our association aims at combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

According to our information, the Seimas will discuss again in the near future draft amendments to the Penal and Administrative Codes that would criminalise public information about homosexual relations.

We would like to express our strong concerns about these draft amendments which, in our view, run directly counter to the non-discrimination principles enshrined in the Amsterdam Treaty, and as such form part of the EU acquis. We therefore very much hope that the Seimas will not adopt this legislation.

Yours sincerely,

The EGALITE Committee
http://www.egalite-online.eu

Copy to:

Ms. Ausrine Burneikiene, Lithuanian Ombudsperson for Equal Opportunities
Mr. Michael Cashman, MEP, President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights
Ms. Belinda Pyke, Director for “Equality between Men and Women, Action against Discrimination, Civil Society”, Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG, European Commission