Ukraine’s ruling party lawmakers oppose bill against discrimination of sexual minorities

Most parliamentarians from Ukraine’s ruling Party of Regions will not support a bill against discrimination of sexual minorities, the head of the party’s parliamentary faction, Alexander Yefremov, told a news conference on Tuesday. “The majority of deputies from our faction are not ready to vote for this bill,” he said adding that the faction had taken a decision on free vote on this bill that would be considered later this week. “Non-adoption of this bill will not be essential for signing an association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union,” Yefremov said. Under the bill an employer refusing to employ gay staff will face a fine exceeding $1,000 or a prison term of up to five years. Parliamentarians said “although the bill has been thoroughly refined, we do not plan to vote for it.”