European Parliament urges Lithuania to reject anti-gay law

European Parliament urges Lithuania to reject anti-gay law

2011-01-20 06:37:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Parliament on Wednesday urged Lithuania to reject the anti-gay law as it would punish public promotion of homosexuality.

Members of the Parliament (MEPs) added that minors should be able to access information about homosexuality freely. In addition, the European lawmakers asked the European Commission to present a plan to combat homophobia.

The resolution was presented to MEPs by the S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/GNL groups after a series of worrying events in Lithuania. Local authorities recently adopted a Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effects of Public Information.

The legislation approved by the Lithuanian government is an attempted ban on gay and equality demonstrations and use of hate speech by leading politicians.

The other law which is being contested by MEPs intends to set fines between €580 and €2900 ($782 and $3,910) for promoting homosexual relations. The draft law has been labeled as contrary to the Lithuanian Constitution.

A report by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency indicated that this bill could potentially criminalize almost any public expression, portrayal, or information about homosexuality.

Lithuania's President Dalia GrybauskaitÄ— (a former EU Commissioner) has openly expressed his rejection to the draft law as he labeled it as harmful for Lithuanian citizens and the image of the country.

The Lithuanian Parliament is currently analyzing probable amendments to the law and has not voted on the law until the review is over. The proposed amendments are in conflict with EU law.

Furthermore, MEPs urged President GrybauskaitÄ— to veto such amendments if they are approved by the Lithuanian Parliament.

"EU Institutions and Member States have a duty to ensure that human rights are respected, protected and promoted in the European Union, without distinction on grounds of sexual orientation," said MEPs through a statement.

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