Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a working visit 'Israel'.
Ukraine signs new law criminalizing antisemitism in Ukraine
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- Basic offenses carry fines and up to three years in prison.
- Violent or organized acts can result in up to eight years behind bars.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a new law on Monday officially introducing criminal liability for acts of antisemitism, marking a major legal step toward combating hate crimes in the nation.
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Fines and prison terms introduced
The legislation officially amends Article 161 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which deals with equality violations based on race, religion, nationality, and disability. The updated provisions now explicitly include antisemitism.
Under the new law, individuals found guilty of basic antisemitic offenses face fines ranging from 200 to 500 Ukrainian hryvnia.
Courts can also impose restrictions of liberty for up to five years, prison sentences of up to three years, and bans on holding certain positions.
Harsher penalties for violence and organized offenses
Punishments escalate significantly for crimes involving aggravating factors. If an antisemitic act involves violence, deception, threats, or is committed by a public official, offenders face heavier fines of 500 to 1,000 Ukrainian hryvnia, or two to five years in prison.
The most severe sentences are reserved for acts committed by organized groups or those resulting in serious consequences. In these instances, perpetrators face five to eight years behind bars.
Welcomed by the Jewish community
The United Jewish Community of Ukraine publicly praised the legislation's signing.
The organization stated, "We express our gratitude to the author of the draft laws, Maksym Buzhansky, for his systematic work on the adoption of the aforementioned legislative initiatives".
The law, which formalizes legal tools to deter and prosecute hate crimes amid rising international concerns over antisemitism, was initially adopted by the Ukrainian parliament in February 2022 before officially receiving the president's signature.
