Strengthening punishment for child pornography and decriminalization of porn - the Council supported the bill

The Verkhovna Rada adopted as a basis a draft law that provides for strengthening liability for the production and distribution of child pornography, and also decriminalizes adult content. This was reported by UNN with reference to a parliamentary session.

Details

Draft Law No. 15294 "On Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding strengthening liability for the production and distribution of child pornography" was supported in the first reading by 231 MPs.

According to the draft law, for the sale or distribution of pornographic content to a minor, or its production, storage, transportation, or other movement for the same purpose, as well as its production, sale, or distribution without the consent of the person depicted therein, it is proposed to impose a fine ranging from 85 thousand hryvnias to 170 thousand hryvnias, or probation supervision for a term of up to 5 years, or restriction of liberty for the same term, or imprisonment for the same term.

For the sale and distribution of works, images, or other items of a pornographic nature to a minor, or their production, storage, transportation, or other movement for the same purpose, it is proposed to impose a punishment of imprisonment for a term of 3 to 7 years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to 3 years.

Also, for coercing an adult to participate in the creation of works, images, or other items of a pornographic nature, it is proposed to impose a punishment of imprisonment for a term of 3 to 8 years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to 3 years.

The document also proposes to increase the punishment for intentionally gaining access to child pornography using information and communication systems or technologies, or its intentional acquisition, or intentional storage, import into Ukraine, transportation, or other movement of child pornography without the purpose of sale or distribution.

For the aforementioned violation, it is proposed to impose a punishment of probation supervision for a term of up to five years, or restriction of liberty for the same term, or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 7 (currently up to 6) years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to 3 years.

Import into Ukraine of child pornography for the purpose of sale or distribution, or its storage, transportation, or other movement for the same purpose - shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of 7 to 10 years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to five (currently up to 3) years.

Production, distribution, sale of child pornography, or coercion of a minor to participate in the creation of child pornography - shall be punishable by imprisonment for a term of 9 to 13 years (currently 8 to 12 years), with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of up to 5 (currently up to 3) years.

It is also proposed to change the punishment for creating or maintaining dens of debauchery, as well as procuring for debauchery, committed with the involvement of minors. For such a violation, punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 5 to 9 years is envisaged. Currently - imprisonment for a term of 2 to 7 years.

For the specified actions involving minors (under 14) - punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years. Currently - imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years.

In addition, the draft law decriminalizes the import, storage, transportation, production, sending, or other movement, as well as the sale and distribution of works, images, or other items of a pornographic nature, film and video products, computer programs of a pornographic nature to adult persons.

Reminder

The Verkhovna Rada did not support the draft law No. 12191 on the decriminalization of pornography in Ukraine.