EU leaders demand answers from Kyrgyz President over anti-LGBTI bill

During an official visit by Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev last week, EU leaders  have sought reassurances over pending bills seeking to limit the rights of LGBTI people and civil society in general.

The anti-LGBTI ‘propaganda’ bill would outlaw any public information ‘aimed at forming positive attitudes toward non-traditional sexual relations’. Anyone found guilty under the proposals could be jailed for 12 months.This is the latest in a series of actions taken by the EU, after the European Parliament urged the Kyrgyz Parliament to reject the ‘anti-propaganda’ bill in January 2015.

Daniele Viotti MEP, Co-President of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights and part of the Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Kyrgyzstan, said: “We should all be aware of the poisonous consequences of these ill-informed and hateful bills: they produce hate & lead to impunity for violence & discrimination against minorities.” Read More