DAH (Deutsche Aids-Hilfe) Statement on the Lithuanian Law on the Protection of Minors

 

On July 14th a new law “on the protection of minors” was passed by the Lithuanian Parliament prohibiting public information that promotes or displays homosexual, bisexual and polygamous relations.

We are deeply concerned about this development in our European neighbour state as we disapprove all (legal) actions that discriminate LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) people.

Human Rights are universal and not negotiable. The Human Rights approach fighting the discrimination of sexual orientation and gender identity has been the foundation of our meanwhile 25 years ongoing HIV prevention work. In this it has proven to be the only way to successfully face the global challenge we all are facing concerning the HIV epidemic.

In a time where all main actors in HIV prevention globally finally come to acknowledge the importance of this approach and start to support anti-discriminative initiatives concerning sexual orientation and gender identity, we cannot accept this regressive step of a European member state.

We therefore deeply appreciate and support the initiatives of those who have been and who further will be advocating against the discriminative law, such as the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL), and we furthermore urge the Lithuanian legislative to stop this fatal development.

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