Civil society organizations have called on the Rada to reject the bill to decriminalize the porn industry
110 civil society organizations have called on members of parliament to reject Bill No. 15294, which proposes amendments to the Criminal Code regarding liability for child pornography. In their view, the bill also effectively decriminalizes the commercial pornography industry.
The authors of the appeal insist that provisions strengthening liability for sexual violence and the exploitation of children must be included in a separate bill unrelated to the circulation of pornographic material.
Human rights organizations state that the protection of adults’ privacy must be ensured without creating legal conditions for the commercial production, sale, advertising, and mass distribution of pornography. They also believe that the proposed changes contradict European approaches to preventing sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Source: Center for Democracy Development.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed Bill No. 15294 in its first reading, which increases criminal liability for crimes related to child pornography, and also provides for the decriminalization of the production and distribution of pornographic content among adults. A total of 231 members of parliament voted in favor of the decision.
