Reps of UCU State that New Libel Bill Brings Ukraine Back to Soviet Authoritarian System

The Administration and the Senate of the Ukrainian Catholic University expressed their deep concern that on September 18 the Parliament of Ukraine adopted in a first reading an amendment to the criminal code, which would foresee a large fine or even imprisonment for so-called “deliberate dissemination of untrustworthy information discrediting the honor and dignity of another person or undermining his reputation.”

The community of UCU addressed the Ukrainian deputies who are to vote for the bill again with a call to think twice before committing the crime which “will give an impetus to sliding of Ukraine back to the past and deprive Ukrainians of hope for a successful future.”

The representatives of UCU stress that there is no need to criminalize the responsibility for libel as it is already stated in the effective norm on the civil and legal responsibility for disinformation that it is evil. They are convinced that for the pro-regime majority, the real purpose of the bill is completely different.