National
On 06 November 2018, it was reported that the Lithuanian broadcasters have banned the video by award-winning band Skamp of their new song ”Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow” because it includes same-sex couples kissing. In 2010, a ‘gay propaganda’ law passed banning any depictions of ‘non-traditional family relationships’ [R1.15].
On 24 November 2013, the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) voted to proceed with a consideration of an amendment to the country’s Code of Administrative Offences – submitted by Petras Gražulis in May – that would limit freedom of association, assembly and expression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people if it becomes law [R1.14].
In July 2011, a bill before the parliament reportedly would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, saying “advertising and audiovisual commercial communications must not publish information that humiliates human dignity, discriminating or encouraging discrimination based on …sexual orientation” [R1.13].
In December 2010, the Parliament was considering amendments to the Administrative Code stating that “public promotion of homosexual relations … be punished by a fine from 2,000 to 10,000 litas [£480 to £2,400] [R1.12].
Amnesty International feared the amended law, if passed, would punish almost any public expression or portrayal of, or information about, homosexuality including but not limited to, campaigning on human rights issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, providing sexual health information to LGBT people or organising gay film festivals and organising and/or attending Pride events.
In October 2010, the Provision of Information Act came into effect. Article 39 provides:-
“Advertising and audiovisual commercial communication must be decent, fair, and identifiable. Advertising and audiovisual commercial communication must not prejudice respect for human dignity, discrimination on grounds of race, sex or ethnic origin, nationality, citizenship, religion or faith, disability, and age, also must not contain manifestation or promotion of sexual orientation [emphasis added], be offensive to religious or political beliefs, encourage behaviour prejudicial to health and safety, also behaviour largely detrimental to environmental protection” [R1.11].
On 22 December 2009, the Seimas (Parliament), voted 58–4 to remove antigay language in the controversial Law on Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information that restricted information available to children. The law was revised to ban information “encouraging the sexual abuse of minors, sexual relations between minors, and other sexual relations”. The amended law apparently still bars the promotion of “any concept of the family other than that set down in the constitution,” which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman [L1.10], [R1.9].
The law comes into effect in March 2010 [R1.8].
Amnesty International argues that “other sexual relations” means that campaigning for gay marriage or civil partnerships will be illegal [R1.8].
On 17 November 2010, Parliament narrowly rejected a bill that would have banned public promotion of homosexual relations on the first reading. The second reading was expected in December [R1.7].
Previously:
On 12 November 2010, parliament decided to push ahead with legislation imposing fines from 2,000 to 10,000 litas (€580–2,900, $792–3,955) for the “public promotion of homosexual relations” [R1.6].
In December 2009, the Human Rights Watch called on Lithuanian lawmakers to remove antigay language as they review the Law on Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information restricting information available to children [R1.5].
On 21 July 2009, overriding a veto by former president Valdas Adamkus, the Lithuanian parliament approved the Law on Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information to keep information about homosexuality away from children. It was expected the law will come into force on march 1st. [R1.4].
In late June 2009, President Adamkus vetoed the Law on Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information. The parliament has the option of over-riding the Presidential veto [R1.3].
In June 2009, parliament approved the ‘Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information’ banning information on homosexuality in schools or in media accessible by young people. The bill had not yet been given presidential approval [R1.2].
In December 2008, the Lithuanian parliament accepted amendments to the law on the protection of minors, giving rise to concerns that the law will lead to a ban on gay activities [R1.1] and censorship. |