Parliamentary question - E-0060/2009Parliamentary question
E-0060/2009
European Parliament

LGBT situation in Lithuania

7.1.2009

Answer in writing

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0060/09
by Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)
to the Commission

On 11 December 2008 the Lithuanian Parliament approved amendments to the draft Law on the Protection of Minors against Detrimental Effects of Public Information. The draft law asserts that ‘a detrimental effect on the development of minors’ is caused by ‘public information that agitates for homosexual relations’ and that ‘defies family values’. Neither ‘agitation’ nor ‘family values’ are defined, which could lead to the banning of any non-negative information on homosexuality, i.e. websites or films but also discos, exhibitions, demonstrations and other public events related to homosexuality if these could be accessed by minors[1].

The proposed legislation will first go before a parliamentary committee and is then scheduled to be adopted in spring 2009.

1. Is the Commission aware of this new law?

2. Does the Commission agree that this new law is discriminatory against LGBT persons and therefore is not in accordance with the basic European fundamental rights enshrined in the Treaties (i.e. Article 6 TEU and 13 TEC and related anti-discrimination laws and policies) and in the European Convention on Human Rights?

3. Does the Commission agree that this new law goes against the principle of freedom of information and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Treaties?

4. Does the Commission agree that this kind of homophobic legislation would be unacceptable in an EU Member State which is obliged to respect the Treaties? What action will the Commission take in order to inform the Lithuanian authorities about the fact that such a law would be contrary to EC law?

5. If this law does enter into force, what further action will the Commission take?

OJ C 189, 13/07/2010

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