Parliament changes wording of controversial law

A new law adopted by the Seimas on Tuesday protects minors from information that encourages them to engage in sexual intercourse.

The new edition of the controversial law strips out a phrase specifying "homosexual, bisexual and polygamous intercourse," changing it to sexual intercourse.

The change was approved by 58 parliamentarians, with 4 voting against and 25 abstaining.

The old version of the law provoked stormy reactions from liberal quarters of European society but drew applause from the continent's religious conservatives.

Former president Valdas Adamkus vetoed different versions of it and it has been harshly criticized by the current Lithuanian head of state, Dalia Grybauskaite.

The European Parliament urged the Seimas to change the act, and Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said it violated human rights.