The Verkhovna Rada will make a third attempt to decriminalise pornography
The relevant bill has already been published on the government’s website.
According to MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, following the failure of the previous vote on the decriminalisation of adult content, consultations took place between representatives of various factions and parliamentary groups. As a result, a new bill, No. 15294, was drafted and registered.
According to the explanatory note to the document, the aim of the bill is to strengthen the protection of minors by imposing stricter liability for involving children in sexual offences, distributing pornography among them, and other similar offences. The document also aims to update certain provisions of the Criminal Code regarding the circulation of pornographic materials among adults.
The bill proposes amendments to Articles 301–303 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In particular, it is proposed to specifically highlight and increase liability for:
- the sale or distribution to minors and young children of pornographic materials, films and video productions, and computer programmes of a pornographic nature;
- acts related to access to child pornography — its acquisition, storage, production, transport, sale and distribution;
- the organisation of sexual entertainment events involving minors or young children;
- the establishment or maintenance of brothels and procuring involving children;
- pimping or coercing into prostitution, where such acts involve minors.
At the same time, the initiative provides for the decriminalisation of a number of acts between adults, in particular the import, storage, production and distribution of pornographic materials, provided they do not involve children.
Zheleznyak noted that following the failure of previous attempts, the authors have taken into account the positions of various political forces and are counting on broader support for the new version. According to him, the bill has been signed by 45 MPs from various factions and groups, including the leadership of parliament and relevant committees.
It is expected that the document may be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration in the near future, following the adoption of other economic initiatives.
It should be recalled that the Rada was recommended to pass a law on the decriminalisation of pornography as early as the end of December 2024.
However, during the vote on 28 May, MPs were unable to pass Bill No. 12191 on the decriminalisation of pornography. The bill fell 20 votes short of a majority.
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