Ukrainian Parliament votes for wide-ranging ban on the exercise of freedom of expression in support of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons

Written question No. 618 to the Committee of Ministers | Doc. 13047 | 03 October 2012

Signatories:

Mr Håkon HAUGLI, Norway, SOC

Thesaurus

On 2 October Ukraine’s Parliament supported, at first reading, a draft law which would impose a wide-ranging ban on the exercise of freedom of expression in support of the rights of LGBT people. 289 MPs voted in favour, one abstained, and none opposed. A second and final reading is currently scheduled for 16 November 2012.

The draft Law (No. 8711) proposes to ban

• any production, printing publication or distribution of products “promoting” homosexuality,
• the use of media, TV or radio broadcasting for homosexuality “promotion”,
• the import, production or distribution of creative writings, cinematography or video materials “promoting” homosexuality.

Such activities would be subject variously to fines or prison sentences of up to five years.

This proposal is a direct attack on a highly vulnerable minority. It can only increase the violence and discrimination to which they are subject. Its adoption would constitute a flagrant violation of Ukraine’s obligations under its United Nations and Council of Europe treaty obligations.

Mr Haugli,

To ask the Committee of Ministers:

Will the Committee of Ministers, as a matter of urgency, raise the proposed law with the Ukrainian authorities, making clear that its adoption would constitute a serious breach of Ukraine’s Council of Europe treaty obligations?