European Parliament votes against Section 28 in Lithuania - Tory MEPs abstained - 2009-09-18

The European Parliament adopted yesterday a Resolution on the Lithuanian Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effects of Public Information, voicing its concerns and adding its support to the civil society, opposing this repressive draft law.

On 14 July 2009, the Lithuanian Parliament adopted a draft law on the protection of minors against the detrimental effect of public information. The list of categories of detrimental public information includes "information which agitates for homosexual, bisexual or polygamous relations". The text would allow the banning of any information related to homosexuality and bisexuality in public places (such as schools) or media accessible to minors.

"The ideology behind the text is pure homophobia. It is crucial to allow young people to speak, think and act, in the respect of others who are different. Young people need education not isolation", said Labour MEP Michael Cashman.

The Tories abstained in the vote while their new allies from the European Conservatives and Reformists have voted against the text, thus confirming that they are not committed to the fight against discrimination.

"This new Parliament has shown today that it will not accept intolerance and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The Tories and their extremist allies are themselves isolated in their indifference to discrimination", continued Cashman, co-author of the resolution.

The law is a similar text to that of Section 28, a law enacted by the Thatcher Government in the UK which was repealed only five years ago.

"Twenty years later, the Tories have not learnt from their mistakes and show that their true face has not changed. If they condone such a law in Lithuania, what guarantees do we have that David Cameron will protect or promote the rights of LGBT people?" concluded Cashman.

The Resolution states that the law is in breach of EU and international Treaties and anti-discrimination texts and urges the Agency for Fundamental Rights to give an opinion on the law in light of them. It also reaffirms the commitment of the EU to fight against all forms of discrimination.

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