NEWS RELEASE
Office of Jean Lambert MEP
London's Green Party Member of the European Parliament

Date: 25 June 2009

MEPS PROTEST AGAINST LITHUANIAN LAW TO BAN INFORMATION ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Green MEP Jean Lambert yesterday [Wednesday 24 June] joined protests in
Brussels against the adoption of legislation in Lithuania which will outlaw
the discussion of homosexuality in schools.

On 16 June, the Lithuanian parliament adopted an amended Law on the
Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information.

According to this law, "propaganda of homosexuality and bisexuality" has a
damaging effect on minors and therefore information on homosexuality and
bisexuality should be banned from schools and any other places where it can
be accessed by young people.

Jean Lambert MEP, a Member of the European Parliament's cross-party
Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, said:

"I am appalled and deeply alarmed by the Lithuanian Parliament's approval
this bill which will effectively ban the discussion of homosexuality in
schools and any reference to homosexuality in public information that can be
viewed by children.

"This clearly violates the right to freedom of expression and contravenes
the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human
Rights. It is essentially at odds with some of the European Union's most
basic principles."

Earlier this week, Ms Lambert wrote to the European Commission to request
that it makes absolutely clear to Lithuanian President Adamkus that such
legislation is unacceptable.

"Homophobic attitudes are on the rise in Lithuania and this law
institutionalises that mindset. It is a deeply worrying development," Jean
Lambert continued.

"If the country wishes to remain a part of the European Union then its laws
must respect our common core values and agreed basic human rights. The
fundamental rights to freedom of expression and equality of treatment must
be upheld in Lithuania as they are across the EU."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK
Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected in
the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.