Zelenskyy signs law establishing criminal liability for antisemitism
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed law No. 2037-IX on amendments to Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to implement provisions of the Law of Ukraine on Prevention and Counteraction of Antisemitism in Ukraine, establishing criminal liability for manifestations of antisemitism.
According to the relevant card for bill No. 5110, it was introduced and adopted in the first reading back in 2021, but was only adopted in full the following year and sent to the head of state for signature on February 21, 2022, three days before the full-scale invasion by Russia.
On April 14, the law was returned with the president's signature.
The law amends paragraph 1 of part 1 of the article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, adding manifestations of antisemitism to the list of intentional actions aimed at inciting national, regional, racial, or religious enmity and hatred, at humiliating national honor and dignity, or insulting the feelings of citizens in connection with their religious beliefs.
The sanction of the article remains unchanged – a fine, or restriction of liberty for up to five years, or imprisonment for up to three years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for such a term.
"The draft law was developed with the aim of regulating the provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in accordance with the provisions of the draft law on prevention and counteraction of antisemitism in Ukraine, which legislatively regulates issues of counteracting and preventing antisemitism and its manifestations in Ukraine… Implementation of this draft law does not require additional expenditures from the State Budget of Ukraine. Implementation of the act after its adoption will contribute to the prevention of manifestations of antisemitism," the explanatory note says.