Secretary General Jagland concerned over law on homosexuality in Ukraine

  In a letter sent to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Volodymyr Lytvyn, Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland expressed deep concern over a bill which proposes to ban the so-called “promotion” of homosexuality. The Secretary General urged the Ukrainian authorities to guarantee the principles of freedom of expression and non-discrimination, which are set out in the European Convention on Human Rights, before submitting this bill to a second reading.

The Ukrainian Parliament needs to protect sexual minorities and reject “initiatives which are likely to increase intolerance and prejucides in society at large, ” he said, adding that the Council of Europe was ready to offer all necessary assistance.