VILNIUS, Lithuania – A new Lithuanian law bans the dissemination of “unsavory” materials via channels children might be able to access. Mass media, public discussions, school programs and the Internet all fall under the statute’s purview.
The Law on the Protection of Minors Against Detrimental Effect of Public Information outlaws “the propaganda of homosexuality [or] bisexuality,” information about polygamy and images of heterosexual intercourse. Also among the topics labeled taboo are death, severe injury, foul language, gambling, instructions for manufacturing explosives, abnormal eating habits like anorexia and bulimia, and all things paranormal.
No paranormal? No ghosts? No witches or warlocks? No vampires or werewolves? Well, there go a couple millennia of folklore — not to mention much contemporary literature and entertainment — right out the window.
The bill, co-sponsored by Petras Grazulis, incorporates a lengthy list of forbidden subjects. Grazulis called them indicators of “rotten culture.”
Since the Lithuanian Parliament’s July 14 vote overriding President Valdas Adamkus’ veto of the bill, a number of human rights organizations have called for repeal of the legislation.
“This law is a clear infringement of freedom of expression and non-discrimination rights and should be repealed immediately,” Amnesty International spokesperson Kim Manning-Cooper said. “Amnesty International calls on the Lithuanian government to uphold its international human rights obligations and repeal the discriminatory [law].”
Unless repealed, the statute is set to take effect March 1, 2010.
