The Supreme Rada of Ukraine has toughened responsibility for the crimes made because of racial, national or religious intolerance. For acceptance as a whole bill N2281-1 «About modification of the Criminal code of Ukraine (about responsibility for crimes on motives of racial, national or religious intolerance)» 312 deputies have voted at 226 necessary.

In particular, the approved bill provides the criminal liability in the form of imprisonment for the term from 10 till 15 years for a premeditated murder on motives of racial, national or religious intolerance.

Besides, the parliament has established punishment in the form of the penalty from 200 to 500 tax-free minima of incomes of citizens or restriction of freedom for the term up to 5 years (with right deprivation to occupy certain posts or to be engaged in certain activity for the term up to 3 years or without it) for the deliberate actions directed on kindling national, racial or religious hostility and hatred, on humiliation of national honour and advantage of people in connection with their religious beliefs, a racial, ethnic accessory, colour of a skin, language.

The previous edition of the Criminal code provided for such actions punishment in the form of the penalty to 50 tax-free minima of incomes of citizens or corrective works for the term up to 2 years, or restriction of freedom for the term up to 5 years (with right deprivation to occupy certain posts or to be engaged in certain activity for the term up to 3 years or without it).

The law comes into effect from the date of its publication.

Let’s remind that the given bill has been registered in Rade in March, 2008.

On materials: RBC-Ukraine