Lithuania has passed a law designed to protect children from information which undermines traditional family values. This includes a ban on disseminating information about homosexuality.

Lithuanian MPs say information seen as promoting gay relationships has a negative effect on the development of young people. Former president Valdas Adamkus, who left office on Sunday, had vetoed the anti-gay legislation a number of times.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the law, describing it as a breach of human rights. The organisations complain of the homophobic attitudes prevalent in predominantly Roman Catholic Lithuania.

image: Lithuanian flag