Georgian parliament passes bill banning LGBT propaganda

TBILISI. Sept 17 (Interfax) - Georgia's parliament passed a legislative package on family values and protection of minors in the final reading on Tuesday.

The package is aimed solely against propaganda of the LGBT community (a movement designated extremist and banned in Russia), members of the parliamentary majority said.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Tbilisi reacted negatively to the move. "The United Kingdom is seriously concerned by the adoption, in the third reading, of the legislative package on family values and protection of minors. This package undermines fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and assembly and risks further stigmatization and discrimination of part of the Georgian population," the Embassy said in a statement.

The package was adopted contrary to Venice Commission recommendations, it said.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in April that LGBT propaganda was unacceptable and Georgia would definitely pass appropriate legislation. "LGBT propaganda causes serious demographic problems, which Europe is already facing. According to public information, the number of people who associate themselves with the LGBT community in Europe has tripled over the past seven years. We do not want to see that trend here," Kobakhidze said.

The rights of all Georgian citizens were protected, but the authorities would not allow any LGBT propaganda, he said then. "The insistent demands of the European Parliament that we comply with the trends which are taking a heavy toll on European society are absolutely inadmissible. We want to enter the European Union with our values and principles," Kobakhidze said.