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Homophobic 'Section 28' Lithuanian law breaches EU rights standards
July 16, 2009 5:30 PM
The Lithuanian Parliament, rejecting a Presidential veto, has confirmed a 'Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information'. This bans the "propaganda of homosexuality and bisexuality' from schools and other youth facilities.
The European Parliament's Intergroup on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights has urged the new President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek to condemn the adoption of such a homophobic law in Lithuania. The ALDE European Liberal Democrat group has tabled a parliamentary question asking how the European Commission and Council of Ministers (EU governments collectively) think that such a law is compatible with human rights as enshrined in EU treaties and international and European law, and what will be done to ensure that Lithuania respects its obligations.
Liberal Democrat MEP for London Sarah Ludford has campaigned extensively for LGBT rights in London and across Europe and is a member of ALDE and the LGBT rights intergroup. She said:
"I am proud that the parliamentary group of the Liberal Democrat-allied party of Lithuania, the Liberals Movement, has filed an appeal with the country's Constitutional Court. I am delighted that their MEP, Leonidas Donskis, has joined me on the EP human rights subcommmittee."
"In the UK we are only just recovering from the ill effects of section 28 which made illegal the so-called promotion of homosexuality in schools. Whilst section 28 is now behind us it is incredibly disheartening to see such similar pieces of legislation being enacted elsewhere in Europe."
"The new law will increase stigmatisation and hatred against adolescents struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality and contravenes EU human rights and anti-discrimination law. The European Commission, with support from EU governments, must take real action to block it, not just mouth platitudes."
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