On 26 March, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan published a draft bill that would impose tough sanctions for any speech or action leading to “a positive attitude towards non-traditional sexual relations”, i.e. non-heterosexual relationships. The draft is one of the most sweeping ‘anti-propaganda’ bills ever published. It would amend the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Responsibility, the
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In 2013 ILGA-Europe supported 10 partner organisations in 8 countries within its project aimed at increasing the advocacy capacity of LGBTI human rights defenders and raising awareness of policy-makers and other relevant stakeholders about human rights of LGBTI people. The program was supported by the US State Department. Within this program 10 small-scale projects in
On Wednesday 19 March, ILGA-Europe and ENAR (European Network Against Racism) are launching an Appeal for an European election campaign free from discrimination and intolerance with a press conference in the European Parliament. This Appeal is an important symbol, but it is also more than a symbol. The 2014 European Parliament elections are taking place in
At the Council of the Heads of the Christian Orthodox Church held in Istanbul last week, Cyprus’ Archbishop Chrysostomos urged all Orthodox Churches to “condemn homosexuality.” The Archbishop stated that governments demonstrated “weakening moral integrity” by ensuring equal rights, for example through civil partnerships or equal marriage. Cyprus’ government plans to submit a civil partnership
A bill that would have introduced Russia-style gay propaganda laws to Lithuania has failed to get the votes today (13 March). Lawmakers made their decision on a bill that would have outlawed gay pride parades, pubic speeches in support of LGBTI rights, gay rights campaign materials and audio-visual materials in support of the rights of
Lithuanian lawmakers will vote today on a bill that would outlaw gay pride parades, public speeches in support of LGBTI rights, gay rights campaign materials and audio-visual materials in support of the rights of LGBTI people. The bill would make such actions an administrative offense with fines of between $US400 to $US1200, and $US1200 to
Washington D.C. – Human Rights First today expressed serious concern over reports that the Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) will vote tomorrow to approve an anti-“propaganda” law that violates the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. In an attempt to quickly and quietly push the legislation through, the proposed amendment, which emulates Russia’s
The General Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people Robert Biedron has urged the Lithuanian Parliament to reject a change in the law which could impose administrative fines on those demonstrating publicly in support of LGBT rights, describing the proposed
Today, the European Parliament adopted two new laws at first reading to reform data protection in the European Union. Until now, the EU regulated data protection via a 1995 directive, ill fitted for the modern omnipresence of personal data. The European Commission proposed a new EU framework in the form of two legal texts: a directive
The draft amendment to the Code of Administrative Violations, proposed by MP P. Gražulis, seeks to introduce administrative liability for any public defiance of the constitutionally established family values. According to this amendment, actions considered as defying traditional family values will result in administrative fine ranging from 1000 to 6000 LTL (300-1800 EUR). The draft
Chair of the Lithuanian Parliament Loreta Graužinienė and Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius presented the tasks for the spring session of the Parliament on Monday, March 10th. Four homophobic bills and amendments to the existing laws are scheduled for the session. At the spring session the parliamentarians will consider the amendment to the Code of Administrative
Despite the international pressure and concern, tomorrow (13 March) Lithuanian Parliament will vote on the draft amendment to the Code of Administrative Violations No. XIP-4490(3) which seeks to introduce administrative liability for any public defiance of the constitutionally established family values. According to the proposal, such actions as carrying out public speeches, demonstrating goods, posters,