The youth of “Ecological Network of Ukraine” took part in a protest against Draft Law #15150

Yesterday, on May 5, the youth of the NGO “Ecological Network of Ukraine” took part in a protest to express their opposition to the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of the new Civil Code (Draft Law #15150) in its current version.

This draft law reflects a deeply problematic philosophy, as it allows the law to judge the “morality” of certain actions that, in democratic and developed countries, should remain a private matter. The draft introduces the concept of “good morals” (“dobrozvychainist”) and effectively legalizes discrimination on this basis. At the same time, it restricts freedom of speech and media activities while creating significant corruption risks.

The current version of the Civil Code poses numerous dangers to society because it:

• significantly restricts the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, explicitly denying them the right to family life, adoption, inheritance, and related rights;
• interferes in private life by introducing the concept of “reconciliation” in divorce proceedings, and even предусматривает “compensation” if a person decides not to proceed with a marriage after an engagement;
• negatively affects women’s rights.

Under this version of the Code, a woman would not be able to access assisted reproductive technologies by her own choice, could be forced into situations of abuse due to mandatory “reconciliation” during divorce proceedings, and after divorce, a husband could petition the court to force his ex-wife to change her surname on the grounds of her alleged “unworthy act” or “immoral behavior.”