Europees Parlement keurt 'homofobische' wet Litouwen af (en)
The European Parliament has urged Lithuania to reject a draft bill aimed at criminalising the "promotion" of homosexuality.
The draft law, yet to be approved by the country's MPs, would amend the Code of Administrative Offences to punish the "public promotion of homosexual relations" with a fine of between €580 and €2900.
The Strasbourg resolution, passed on Wednesday (19 January), also calls on the European Commission to make an assessment of Lithuania's proposed amendments to its legal code and to develop an "EU i Roadmap" on what member states should be doing to fight homophobia.
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite i, herself a former European commissioner has already denouced the legislation.
MEPs called on her to veto the legislation should it be approved.
"EU institutions and member states have a duty to ensure that human rights are respected, protected and promoted in the European Union," reads the resolution.
The Seimas, the Lithuanian parliament already voted in 2009, to ban minors from accessing information about homosexuality.
MEPs on Wednesday noted however: "No credible research indicates that educating children and young people about sexuality may affect their sexual orientation."
"Education about sexual diversity encourages tolerance and acceptance of differences."
The resolution was put forward by the Socialists, Liberals, Greens and the left of the house.
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