 Lithuanian
lawmakers revised a controversial law on that banned the promotion of
homosexuality, but gay rights campaigners warned the move did nothing to assuage
their concerns.
In a 58-4 vote, with 25 abstentions, parliament approved amendments
to legislation that sparked criticism from rights groups in Lithuania
and abroad when it was passed in July.
The original law, which had been due to come into force in March
2010, barred the public dissemination of information favourable
to homosexuality, claiming it could harm the mental health and physical,
intellectual and moral development of minors.
The legislation -- which also covered bisexuality, polygamy, images
of heterosexual intercourse, death and severe injury, the paranormal,
foul language and bad eating habits -- did not specifically define
public dissemination nor set down a punishment.
The changes give the law a less-specific remit, banning information
encouraging the sexual abuse of minors, sexual relations between
minors and other sexual relations.
The homophobic clauses have been removed. The law is in line with
European standards, her spokesman Linas Balsys told AFP Tuesday.
But Vladimir Simonko, head of the Lithuanian Gay League, said
problems remained with the legislation and alleged it had been crafted
by a bunch of Bible-bashers.
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Amnesty
International has called on the authorities of Lithuania to remove all
restrictions on the distribution of public information relating to the rights of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people decreed in a new law.
