Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that introduces criminal liability for manifestations of antisemitism. This bill was previously adopted by the Verkhovna Rada and provides for amendments to Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding violations of citizens’ equality.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Criminal Liability for Discrimination Based on Antisemitism
The new law supplements the existing article with the wording “manifestations of antisemitism,” which defines a specific form of discrimination against Jews as an ethnic or religious group. From now on, citizens face penalties for such actions aimed at inciting hatred—ranging from fines to eight years of imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation.
The updated legislation also prohibits discrimination based on race, skin color, political, religious, and other beliefs, gender, disability, ethnic or social origin, property status, place of residence, language, and other characteristics.
Initiative and History of the Bill’s Consideration
The bill was initiated by a group of members of parliament from the “Servant of the People” faction. According to the explanatory note, the proposal was developed in connection with the preparation of the law “On Preventing and Combating Antisemitism in Ukraine,” which was adopted back in 2021.
The bill supplements Article 161 of the Criminal Code regarding violations of citizens’ equality with the wording “manifestations of antisemitism.” This term refers to a specific form of discrimination directed against Jews as an ethnic or religious group.
The Verkhovna Rada supported this bill in February 2022, after which the document was submitted for the president’s signature. Since the signing, the law has officially come into effect, establishing new standards for combating manifestations of antisemitism in Ukraine.