European Parliament debated the violation of freedom of expression and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in Lithuania on Tuesday and Wednesday. During the discussion members of EP asked for consideration of the proposed amendments to the Lithuanian Code of Administrative Offences introducing an offence of ‘promotion of homosexual relations’ punishable with a fine of €580 to €2,900. It was stated that such a law would contradict one of the basic fundamental principles of the European Union – freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. A report prepared by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency suggests that new legislation could potentially criminalize almost all public expressions or portrayals of homosexuality.
As a result of the debate a resolution was adopted, in which the European Parliament calls on the Seimas to reject the draft amendments put forward by MP Petras Gražulis of the Order and Justice party, and review previously-passed homophobic laws. The resolution emphasizes also the acknowledgement of positive developments in Lithuania, such as previous presidential vetoes on homophobic laws, and the inclusion of sexual orientation as an aggravating motive for hate crime.
Green MEP Ulrike Lunacek, Co-President of the LGBT Intergroup, commented: “We need to educate people—including children and youth—about the different forms of sexuality that have always existed in every culture, everywhere in the world, including in Lithuania. Hiding facts from young people generates fearful attitudes, prejudice and hate, something Europeans stand united against.”
ALDE MEP Sophie in’t Veld, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup, added: “Governments claiming that LGBT rights are not part of their culture are misguided: oppressing and discriminating against part of the population cannot be defined as ‘culture’. It is high time the European Commission sets out a comprehensive strategy for LGBT equality, analogous to its strategies for gender equality or against racism and xenophobia.”
Evelyne Paradis, Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, said: “We welcome resolution by the European Parliament. This is already the second resolution of the European Parliament since 2009 condemning discriminatory legislative initiatives in Lithuania. It clearly demonstrates and confirms a very basic principle of the European Union that the discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is unacceptable.
We hope that the re-occurring initiatives to adopt discriminatory laws on the ground of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender identity in various EU member states will result in the consistent and comprehensive EU approach tackling these forms of discrimination. We want to see the EU institutions act unanimously, decisively and firmly against any attempts by EU member states which compromise or violates the very principles of the European Union. Like on other grounds, the member states should be sent a strong signal that homophobia, transphobia and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression do not have place in the EU and the institutions will not hesitate to act when such discriminatory initiatives occur .”
