The Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of Ukraine “On disapproval of communist and national socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regimes in Ukraine and ban on propaganda of their symbols”.

On 8 April, MPs voted for the Draft of Law of Ukraine “On disapproval of communist and national socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regimes in Ukraine and ban on propaganda of their symbols” (Draft №2558). The initiators were: O. Liashko, V. Symar, H. Holko, E. Sobolev, A. Kozhemiakin, A. Lozovoy, Y. Chyzhmar, Y. Lutsenko, I. Mosiichuk, S. Skuratovsky, V. Vovk, Y.-R. Shuhevych, O. Bereziuk.

The adopted Law prescribes disapproval on legislative level in Ukraine of communist and national socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regimes as criminal and legislatively prohibits public denial of the criminal nature of these totalitarian regimes and spreading of their symbols.

Firstly, the Communist totalitarian regime of 1917-1991 in Ukraine and National-socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regime are recognized as criminal. Secondly, the propaganda of communist and national-socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regimes and their symbols is determined as an insult of the memory of millions of victims of those regimes. The propaganda of totalitarian regimes in printed mass media will lead to the discontinuation of printed mass media.

Moreover, the adopted Law creates ban on production, spreading and public using of symbols of communist and national-socialism (Nazi) totalitarian regimes. At the same time, public performance of anthems of USSR, Ukrainian SSR (RSR), another Soviet Union republics or their parts is forbidden on the whole territory of Ukraine. However, the legal ban does not apply to using of totalitarian symbols in the expositions of museums, thematic exhibitions, scientific and educational tutorials, manuals, on gravestones, monuments etc.

Additionally, the Law includes norm, according to which the state will investigate crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, military offences, committed in Ukraine by the representatives of communist and Nazi totalitarian regimes.

Violation of the rules adopted law leads to criminal responsibility.