"Take amendments into account or withdraw them": protests against new Civil Code resumed in Kyiv. PHOTOS
Текстовий супровід відео
(Розшифровка відео)
On Sunday, 17 May, a protest took place in Mariinsky Park in Kyiv against the new Civil Code, which the Verkhovna Rada had approved at first reading.
This was reported by Hromadske and Radio Liberty, according to Censor.NET.
People took to the streets to protest
Protesters called on the authorities to take human rights activists’ amendments into account or withdraw the document.
"Take the amendments into account or withdraw it," chanted the demonstrators during the rally.
People took to the streets with placards reading "Is stealing land also a virtue?", "Kyiv against 15150", "15150 only for MPs", "Shame" and others.
In addition, participants chanted slogans such as: "Hands off human rights!", "Ukrainian land is not for plundering!" and "We will not allow a rollback!".
Among the participants were representatives of human rights initiatives, the LGBT community and civil society activists. They criticised the draft law for provisions which, in their view, could restrict the rights of women and LGBT people and pose risks to property rights.
What is known about the new Civil Code
- As a reminder, on 28 April, MPs in the Verkhovna Rada supported the draft of the new Civil Code in its first reading.
- The first draft of the code was published on 22 January. Within five days, 26 civil society organisations jointly stated that the amendments to the code contravene European legislation and the EU’s requirements for membership of the Union.
In particular, there was discussion of a clause that lowered the marriage age for girls with early pregnancies to 14. The provision on marriage from the age of 14 was later removed, and subsequently the same MPs, led by Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, submitted an alternative draft of the code, which was adopted by parliament at first reading on 28 April.
- Human rights organisations pointed out that the draft law contains provisions that discriminate against LGBTIQ+ people and contradict Ukraine’s obligations upon joining the EU. In particular, same-sex partners will not be recognised as a family.
In Kyiv on 5 May, several hundred people took to the streets to protest against the new Civil Code.
