Ukraine Criminalizes Antisemitism, Establishing Penalties Up to 8 Years in Prison
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Legislation & Human Rights
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed into law a bill establishing criminal liability for antisemitic acts, formalizing the prohibition of antisemitism and its manifestations with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment of up to eight years for the most severe offenses . The law amends Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, aligning it with the 2021 framework law “On Preventing and Countering Antisemitism in Ukraine” .
Legislation and Penalties
Bill No. 5110, which was passed by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) with 295 votes in favor on February 15, 2022, has now been enacted. The delay in signing occurred due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine .
The new law establishes a graduated penalty system for antisemitic offenses :
| Offense Level | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Basic offense (violation of equality based on religious/ethnic grounds) | Fine of 200 to 500 non-taxable minimum incomes, or restriction of liberty up to 5 years, with or without a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Aggravated offense (involving violence, deceit, threats, or committed by a public official) | Fine of 500 to 1,000 non-taxable minimum incomes, or imprisonment of 2 to 5 years, with or without a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Organized group or actions causing serious consequences | Imprisonment of 5 to 8 years |
The European Jewish Confederation had noted that Ukraine’s parliament passed the law criminalizing antisemitism, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) . This definition states that “antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” .
Implementation and Enforcement
The law provides Ukrainian law enforcement agencies with tools to bring perpetrators to account. It also strengthens accountability for anti-Semitic manifestations, demonstrating a priority for protecting human rights and countering hatred .
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and National Police have already been active in enforcing existing hate crime laws. In March 2026, the SBU, together with the National Police and the State Border Guard Service, exposed an online agitator in Zakarpattia who had been publicly stirring up antisemitic sentiment through social media. The suspect, a 31-year-old resident of the Mukachevo district, called for physical reprisals against members of the Jewish community and urged the destruction of outdoor advertising banners mentioning Jewish holidays. An expert examination confirmed the presence of criminal elements in his public statements, and he was notified of suspicion under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine .
In April 2025, in Drobytsky Yar near Kharkiv, three young men displayed Nazi gestures at the Holocaust memorial. The police opened criminal proceedings for desecration .
Broader Legislative Context
This law is part of a larger effort by Ukraine to align its legal framework with European standards and combat discrimination broadly. In August 2025, a new bill (No. 13597) was registered in parliament to strengthen accountability for hate-motivated crimes . This bill proposes :
- Expanding protections to vulnerable groups, including sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, and national origin.
- Introducing fines or corrective labor for discriminatory actions, even without violence.
- Clarifying Article 161 to include cases where public officials commit hate crimes or involve deceit or threats.
- Amending Article 300 of the Criminal Code to ban the distribution of content that promotes bigotry, including print, video, film, and audio formats.
Additionally, the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting has developed recommendations for media professionals on how to prevent hate speech and discrimination, supported by the Council of Europe .
Note: This article is based on official statements and reporting from UNN, Mezha, the European Jewish Congress, and other sources as cited.