President of Lithuania vetoes homophobic law

29 June 2009

Amnesty International has welcomed a decision by the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus, on 26 June 2009 to veto a "Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information" which was adopted by the Seimas (Lithuanian Parliament) a week earlier.

The amended law would prohibit the discussion of homosexuality in schools and ban any reference to it in public information that can be viewed by children.

Amnesty International said it was strongly opposed this homophobic amendment. Should the law be returned to Parliament, Amnesty International said that it would call on the Lithuanian authorities not to pass the law and to ensure that all persons in Lithuania, including children, fully enjoy the right to freedom of expression – including the right to seek, receive and impart information.

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