13.11.2009
 The Bill ¹ 2281-1
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the Higher Council of Ukraine).
On the 5th of November the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has increased the punishment for displays of extremism, xenophobia, racial and religious intolerance.
312 deputies with 226 votes necessary have approved the bill ¹ 2281 -1 (About amendments to the Criminal code of Ukraine) aiming to increase responsibility for crimes motivated by racial, national, and religious hatred.
The adopted resolution stipulates imprisonment for up to 10-15 years as criminal responsibility for premeditated murder, incitement to hatred, insults or discrimination based on nationality, race, or religion.
In addition, the parliament imposed punishment of a fine in the amount from 200 to 500 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens or deprivation of freedom for a term of up to five years (with deprivation of the right to hold definite posts or carry out definite activities for a term of up to three years) for incitement of racial, national, and religious intolerance and hatred, for humiliation in connection with people’s religious beliefs, racial, ethnic belonging, colour of skin, and language.
As it is reported, the previous version of the Criminal code stipulated punishment of a fine in the amount of up to 50 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens or correctional labor for up to two years, or deprivation of freedom for a term of up to five years (with optional deprivation of a right to hold definite posts or carry out definite activities for a term of up to three years ) for the above-mentioned actions.
In May, experts of European Commission on combating racism and hatred expressed their concern over improper scale of fighting with racism and hatred in Ukraine. (http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/events/829105)
The Council of Europe expressed their apprehension concerning the fact that for the recent years Ukrainian authorities have not toughened legislation concerning crimes committed on the grounds of racial motives, and Ukrainian officials have not adopted comprehensive program of civil and administrative anti-discriminatory legislation yet.
http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/events/1015170 (the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine 05.11.2009)
http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/events/829105 (07.05.2009) Experts of European Commission on Combating racism and hatred expressed their concern over improper scale of fighting with racism and hatred in Ukraine.
http://korrespondent.net/video/ukraine/606770 (the beginning of a rally on November 03, 2008, next to the building of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine )
Translated by Valeria Granova
Edited by Ekaterina Popova
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