Head of Committee: Bill on Sexual Minorities Will Have To Be Passed Anyway

UNIAN reported with reference to the press-service of the party Udar of Vitalii Klychko that the Head of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and Inter-ethnic Relations, a deputy representing that party, Valerii Patskan stated in a commentary to journalists that it would not be possible to conclude the agreement on association with EU if the bill on prevention and combating discrimination is not passed.

“The document is part of the package of European integration bills. It does not contain a single norm or reference pointing to popularization of sexual minorities or granting them a status allowing them to legalize marriages or anything like that. Only the Code of Laws on Labour will clearly stipulate that this category of population should not be discriminated against,” stressed Patskan. The deputy noted that the document had been withdrawn from consideration but it would be necessary to consider it and pass a decision in the nearest future anyway.

At the same time, Mr. Patskan stated that the deputies were prepared to accept constructive notes from representatives of the clergy or other citizens concerned about the document. “I propose to consider the opinion of the protesters and representatives of the Church. And if they have concrete observations, to include them in the bill as amendments. In the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and Inter-ethnic Relations, we have studied the bill. If there were any points of criticism, we would not have voted for it. I personally believe that our society is not ready yet for such a norm as granting of a status to the sexual minorities and the bill does not say that,” stressed the deputy.