Ukraine’s European Solidarity Party Urged to Back Bill Legalizing Pornography

Call for a Shift in Stance on Draft Law No. 15294

According to Главком: Serhiy Alexeyev, a lawmaker from the European Solidarity faction, has urged his party to change its position and support Draft Law No. 15294, which seeks to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine. This appeal follows the failed vote on an earlier bill, No. 12191, which took place on May 28. The new draft law, registered by Yaroslav Zheleznyak, already has signatures from over forty members of parliament.

Alexeyev, who serves on the law enforcement committee and is one of the co-signers of Draft Law No. 15294, argues that his faction should back the updated version. He stated,

“All civilized countries have legalized the porn industry, and we need it to operate under state regulation as well.”

According to him, the new bill

“strikes a balance: on one hand, it legalizes adult pornography, and on the other, it significantly increases penalties for child pornography.”

Key Provisions of Draft Law No. 15294

Draft Law No. 15294 proposes decriminalizing adult pornography while strengthening protections for children against child pornography, sexual exploitation, and involvement in prostitution. Alexeyev believes that “the political prospects for this decision will improve” and hopes it will be adopted. He also stressed the need to align Ukrainian legislation with European standards: “After all, we must adapt our laws to European ones as we move toward EU membership.”

The draft law has been registered with the relevant law enforcement committee and could be considered in its first reading during the next plenary week. Alexeyev noted that “those who produce such content should do so officially, and everything else will be blocked.” He added, “It’s ridiculous that photos a husband sends to his wife, without selling them anywhere, are effectively illegal.” He concluded by saying, “We’re not Iran, after all.”

The adoption of Draft Law No. 15294 could significantly reshape Ukraine’s legal landscape regarding pornography, creating conditions for industry legalization and reducing criminal liability for certain actions. At the same time, the changes would enforce strict punishments for crimes involving child exploitation. This could mark an important step toward harmonizing Ukrainian law with European standards, a key milestone on the country’s path to integration with the European Union.

In light of the recent developments surrounding Draft Law No. 15294, it is essential to understand the implications of the previous legislative attempt. The Ukrainian Parliament's earlier rejection of a similar bill highlights the ongoing challenges faced by lawmakers in addressing the complex issues of pornography regulation and child protection in Ukraine. This context underscores the significance of the current proposal and its potential impact on future legislation.