👏👏👏 The Law Enforcement Committee supported draft law No. 5488, which aims to strengthen the fight against discrimination on any grounds.

What is so exciting and essential about this draft law? Here are some of its innovations:

Introduces the concept of “intolerance” as an aggravating circumstance. Intolerance is a negative attitude toward people based on race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other characteristics.

Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which deals with incitement to hatred and enmity on the grounds of intolerance, will be rewritten. Stricter sanctions are envisaged for such a crime.

👉 The Code of Administrative Violations includes an offense for direct or indirect restriction of rights or establishment of privileges of citizens on specific grounds. Thus, the criminalization of these acts is reduced.

The Criminal Code of Ukraine eliminates the offense of intentionally endangering another person with human immunodeficiency virus or other incurable infectious disease. This wording was discriminatory and unfair to people living with HIV.

Empowers the Human Rights Commissioner of the Parliament of Ukraine and the authorized staff of the Office of the Ombudsman to prevent and combat discrimination, including the development of protocols on administrative violations.

This bill is a step forward towards a more tolerant and just society. We thank the team that worked on this bill together with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ombudsman’s Office, and civil society organizations. 💪

Join us in supporting this bill! Submit your comments and suggestions for the second reading. Write letters to your representatives and urge them to vote for 5488. Share information about this bill on your social media. Let’s be active citizens!