Threats to the freedom of expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania
Written declaration
No.
504
| Doc. 12848
| 25 January 2012
- Signatories:
- Mr Jonas GUNNARSSON,
Sweden, SOC ; Ms Nebahat ALBAYRAK,
Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Mörður ÁRNASON,
Iceland, SOC ; Mr Lennart AXELSSON,
Sweden, SOC ; Mr Robert BIEDROŃ,
Poland, NR ; Mr Eric BOCQUET,
France, UEL ; Ms Bernadette BOURZAI,
France, SOC ; Ms Anna Maria CARLONI,
Italy, SOC ; Ms Lise CHRISTOFFERSEN,
Norway, SOC ; Mr Boriss CILEVIČS,
Latvia, SOC ; Ms Viola von CRAMON-TAUBADEL,
Germany, SOC ; Ms Lydie ERR,
Luxembourg, SOC ; Mr Jean-Charles GARDETTO,
Monaco, EPP/CD ; Mr Mike HANCOCK,
United Kingdom, ALDE ; Mr Håkon HAUGLI,
Norway, SOC ; Mr Mats JOHANSSON,
Sweden, EPP/CD ; Ms Reinette KLEVER,
Netherlands, NR ; Ms Lone LOKLINDT,
Denmark, ALDE ; Ms Kerstin LUNDGREN,
Sweden, ALDE ; Mr Dirk Van der MAELEN,
Belgium, SOC ; Mr Pietro MARCENARO,
Italy, SOC ; Ms Federica MOGHERINI REBESANI,
Italy, SOC ; Ms Cora van NIEUWENHUIZEN,
Netherlands, ALDE ; Ms Carina OHLSSON,
Sweden, SOC ; Mr Danny PIETERS,
Belgium, NR ; Ms Mette REISSMANN,
Denmark, SOC ; Mr Ludo SANNEN,
Belgium, SOC ; Ms Tineke STRIK,
Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Björn von SYDOW,
Sweden, SOC ; Mr Klaas de VRIES,
Netherlands, SOC ; Ms Gisela WURM,
Austria, SOC
- Thesaurus
This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
There is now serious danger to the right to freedom of expression
of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Russia, Ukraine
and Lithuania.
In Russia two regional assemblies (Arkhangelsk and Ryazan)
have adopted legislation prohibiting "propaganda of homosexuality",
while in two others (St Petersburg and Kostroma) similar legislation
has been tabled. There are reports that similar initiatives are
under discussion for Moscow and even for the Russian Federation
as a whole.
In Ukraine MPs have tabled a proposal designed “to strengthen
protection from homosexual propaganda”. It would introduce criminal
penalties ranging from a fine to five years' imprisonment.
In Lithuania a bill before parliament would penalise “the
public denigration of constitutional moral values and the principles
of family ….. and the organisation of events contradicting social
morality”.
If implemented, these proposals could silence human rights
defenders working for the rights of LGBT people. They conflict with
the obligations of Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania under international
human rights law. We call upon their governments and the members
of their delegations to the Parliamentary Assembly to take strong action
to oppose them.