Such amendments to the country's Criminal Code were adopted last week in response to calls by the European Commission, the Justice Ministry said. 109 Lithuanian lawmakers voted in favor of the changes and five abstained.
"We want to ensure that everyone feels dignified and safe, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion or any other criteria, which is why it is so important to initiate legal changes that would bring national regulation in line with EU law and thus more effectively combat homophobia, racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance, and to prevent the manifestations of hostility and violence," Justice Minister Evelina Dobrovolska said in a statement.
The amendments clarify the Criminal Code's articles on hate speech and hate crimes, and provide for criminal liability not only for discrimination on the grounds of age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, nationality, language, origin, social status, religion, beliefs or opinions, but also on the grounds of skin color and ethnic origin.