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ILGA-Europe: 'LGBTI people in Ukraine deserve legal protection and social certainty'

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LGBT-Organizations-and-Non-Gay-IssuesAmendments to Ukraine’s labour code, which would have protected people from sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination at work, have been rejected by Ukrainian parliamentarians.  On Thursday (5 November 2015), only 117 members of the 450-seat parliament supported the proposal to amend the labour code. As a result, it is unlikely that Ukrainians will enjoy easier travel to the European Union in the short-term, as the anti-discrimination legislation was a necessary prerequisite for any visa-free travel arrangement. 

Reacting to the vote, ILGA-Europe Executive Director Evelyne Paradis said: “The rejection of these urgently needed anti-discrimination provisions is disappointing and concerning in equal measure. ILGA-Europe have called for the implementation of equality measures as part of the EU-Ukraine association process for a long time.

“In 2014, President Poroshenko considered it the state’s duty to implement equality between citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. This principle appears to have been forgotten now. ILGA-Europe remind the EU and Ukraine of their human rights obligations and we will continue to advocate for strong legal protection for LGBTI people in Ukraine,” continued Paradis.

The European Union has insisted that Ukraine introduce specific human-rights measures since the visa liberalization discussion started in earnest in 2010, with the presentation of a visa liberalization action plan. The equality benchmarks laid out by the EU have not yet been met, meaning that LGBTI people in Ukraine continue to live and work in a precarious position. They deserve legal protection and social certainty. The Ukrainian authorities have a responsibility to introduce inclusive legislation without delay, for the benefit of all their citizens.

ILGA-Europe is the European Region of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and works for human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & intersex people in Europe. ILGA-Europe represents over 400 member organizations in 45 European countries. For up-to-date information on the legal and policy situation for LGBTI people in Ukraine, visit the Rainbow Europe Module.

Ukraine currently lies 45th overall in ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe ranking.

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