Verkhovna Rada votes to decriminalize pornography
A total of 231 MPs voted in favor of decriminalizing pornography.
The Verkhovna Rada has passed in the first reading a bill decriminalizing pornography. Bill No. 15294 was supported by 231 MPs, Ekonomichna Pravda reports.
The parliamentarians decided to abolish criminal liability for the creation and distribution of intimate content among adults. The sale of such materials to adult viewers will no longer be considered a crime.
The authors of the initiative explained the need for the changes by the fight against corruption, stating that law enforcement agencies often provide a "roof" for the pornography business in exchange for regular bribes.
At the same time, the revised legislation strengthens penalties for the production and distribution of child pornography, as well as for coercing individuals into taking part in the creation of such materials.
In late May, parliament rejected an earlier attempt to legalize the pornography business, but an updated bill was submitted for consideration soon afterward.
As the UOJ previously reported, a proposal was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada to approve a spiritual anthem.
