The ALDE group is calling on the Lithuanian authorities to respect freedom of expression and of assembly and to reject proposals introducing a fine for “public promotion of homosexual relations”, i.e. equality marches for LGBT rights or any public information in favour of LGBT rights.
President Verhofstadt has written, together with fellow ALDE MEPs of the Civil Liberties committee, to Commissioner Reding to ask her to enquire with the Lithuanian authorities on the draft amendment to the Administrative code which was voted in first reading on Friday 12 November 2010, and to express EU concern on the issue on the occasion of the visit this week of the EU Justice Commissioner to Lithuania.
Guy Verhofstadt, President of the ALDE group, commented: “We welcome the reply of Commissioner Reding of today to the ALDE letter of concern with the developments in Lithuania on LBGT rights and freedom of expression and of assembly. The Commission states that it is aware of the draft law which is under analysis by the services and will take any appropriate action. ALDE believes that it is clearly incompatible with European values as enshrined in the ECHR and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. We will closely monitor developments to make sure this violation of fundamental rights does not take place on EU soil”.
Declaration of Leonidas Donskis: “The Lithuanian parliament is again trying to introduce the criminalization of LGBT persons. After the adoption of the controversial “Law of the Protection of Minors Against Detrimental Public Information”, which attracted international, European and national criticism, Lithuania risks again discriminating against minorities and violating fundamental rights – exactly as happened under the Communist regime. I appeal to Lithuanian authorities to defend fundamental rights, freedoms and democracy, for all citizens and to EU institutions to do what is in their powers to block these worrying developments”.
Commissioner Reding replied with a letter on 17 November. “European Commission firmly rejects any form of homophobia” – it is stated in the letter. “European Commission is aware of the draft law being considered by the Lithuanian Parliament. My department will be analysing the draft legislative text as well as any links with EU law. On the basis of this analysis, the European Commission will decide whether further action is appropriate.”
