The resolution is underlining that the European Parliament is committed to fight all kinds of discrimination in the European Union states, and in this case it is saying that the law that the Lithuanian Parliament adopted in July 2009 is in breach of EU and international human rights obligations and anti-discrimination texts. Therefore the resolution also calls for a revision of the adopted law by the Lithuanian authorities.

The European Parliament moreover states that it is needed that Agency for Fundamental Rights should give an opinion on the Lithuanian law in light of the affirmed human rights treaties.

Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, says about the voting in the Parliament: It is important for us to see that the European Parliament is indicating seriousness about the case that we feel so strongly about. Even though the Parliament was split, we think it is important to welcome that the resolution was voted through due to a cross party effort.

Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, adds to this: We are indeed happy about the result in the Parliament, but we also have to remember that the law in Lithuania is still there, and we need to put a pressure on the Lithuanian authorities to react on the resolution. And he continuous: Moreover, we are still very concerned that the Lithuanian Parliament is planning to discuss a penal code amendment that would criminalize the "promotion of homosexual relations in public spaces" - a development that is not considered in this resolution.

Download the voting result from the European Parliament