The Ukrainian government will within days propose anti-discrimination legislation to remove what has emerged in recent months as one of the major obstacles to the European Union easing visa requirements for Ukrainians.
Leonid Kozhara, Ukraine's foreign minister, told European Voice that the new legislation will face opposition from the Orthodox Church and that the introduction of a law in Russia punishing homosexual propaganda will add to the political challenge of pushing it through. However, he said: “I think our wish for European integration will dominate over this and other political calculations.” The amendment would keep on the shelf a parliamentary bill that threatens heavy fines and long prison terms for anyone guilty of “propaganda for homosexuality”. The bill passed a first reading in October. The new anti-discrimination proposal is part of a package of reforms intended to complete the first, legislative phase of a process that should lead to the easing of visa conditions.
