Today, Lithuanian human rights activists and the representatives of civil society addressed the Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, Speaker of the Seimas (Parliament) Irena Degutiene, Legal Committee chair Stasys Šedbaras, the Human Rights Committee chair  Arminas Lydeka and the chair of the temporary parliamentary group “For equality” Marija Aušrine Pavilioniene, asking them publicly to express their opinion on the proposed amendments to the Administrative Code, which seek to restrict human rights and foster discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

“We would like to draw your attention to the fact that on 12 November, 2010 Parliament of Lithuania voted in favour of to precede with the proposed amendments no XIP-2595. It is clear that the amendments proposing punishment for “public promotion of homosexual relations”, do not guarantee democracy in Lithuania and will establish a precedent for violations of human rights”, – says human rights activists in the letter.

Human rights activists and representatives of civil society noted that “the draft amendment is contrary to Article 25 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania which says that “the human being must not be hindered from seeking, receiving and imparting information and ideas” and Article 29 which states “all persons shall be equal before the law, the court, and other State institutions and officials. The rights of the human being may not be restricted, nor may he be granted any privileges on the ground of gender, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, belief, convictions, or views”.

Commenting on the bill, the European Commissioner Viviane Reding said the European Commission strongly rejects homophobia, which is a violation of human dignity and is incompatible with EU values. The Commissioner also noted that the Commission is aware of the reading of the draft amendments and will analyse its compatibility with EU law. On the basis of this analysis, the Commission will consider what further actions should be taken.

The appeal was signed by Vladimir Simonko, Chairman of the Board of the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL), Virginia Aleksejūnė, Director of Equal Opportunities Development Centre, Gediminas Andriukaitis, Director of Lithuanian Centre for Human Rights, Svetlana Kulšis, Chair of Association for HIV / AIDS affected women and their families, Neringa Jurčiukonytė, Director of the National Institute for Social Inclusion, Vytautas Valentinavičius, Director of Equal Rights and Social Development Centre.

Vytautas Valentinavičius, +370 616 05775; info@ltspc.lt