Yushchenko signs bill on responsibility for racial, ethnic, religious hate

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has signed into law the bill strengthening responsibility for crimes motivated by racial, ethnic or religious intolerance.

The law on amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (concerning responsibility for crimes based on racial, ethnic or religious hatred) was adopted on November 5.

Particularly, it says that those crimes, as well as discrimination for gender, social or property status, residence, language and other differences, are punished with fine of 200 - 500 minimum incomes, or deprivation of freedom for a term of up to five years with a ban on taking certain posts or engaging in certain activities over a term of up to three years.