European Parliament’s Intergroup urges Lithuanian Parliament to stop anti-democratic law amendments

European Parliament’s Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights urges the Parliament of Lithuania (Seimas) to stop the anti-democratic law amendments which would severely impair the freedom of speech of LGBT citizens. Lithuanian government has proposed to amend the law on protection of children and if passed, it will criminalise public information of any kind on homosexuality or bisexuality.

“I am shocked and dismayed that in Lithuania, which has been a member of the European Union for 5 years, such a legal text can be proposed “, said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup. “This proposal is not only a grave disrespect towards common European values on equality of all our citizens, but also is a breach of Lithuania´s European and international liabilities in the area of human rights. Lithuanian government should work against discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation and not promote discrimination. ”

“International Convention on the Rights of Child rules that States shall respect rights of a child without discrimination of any kind. Child shall have the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom to receive information of all kinds. It is peculiar that this law which is meant to protect children actually will diminish their rights,” adds Mr. Cashman. “The European Parliament has asked the European Commission to intervene. It is unacceptable that a Member State of the EU cracks down on democratic rights of its citizens.”