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Russia’s top court bans LGBT+ activism as ‘extremist’ in latest crackdown
Russia’s top court bans LGBT+ activism as ‘extremist’ in latest crackdown
Russia’s top court has ruled that LGBT+ activists should be designated as “extremists” and issued a ban against such work – the most drastic step in a years-long crackdown on the community in the country. This effectively outlaws LGBT+ activism across the country, in a move that representatives of the gay and transgender communities fear will lead to arrests and prosecutions. The hearing took place behind closed doors and with no defendant. Multiple rights activists have pointed out that the lawsuit targeted the “international civic LGBT movement”, which is not an entity but rather a broad and vague definition that would allow Russian authorities to crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be part of the “movement”. In a statement announcing a lawsuit filed to the court earlier this month, Russia’s justice ministry argued that authorities had identified “signs and manifestations of an extremist nature” by an LGBTQ+ “movement” operating in Russia, including “incitement of social and religious discord”, although it offered no details or evidence. In its ruling, the court declared the “movement” to be extremist and banned it in Russia. “Despite the fact that the justice ministry demands to label a nonexistent – ‘the international civic LGBT movement’ – extremist, in practice it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling at hand, will enforce it against LGBT+ initiatives that work in Russia, considering them a part of this civic movement,” Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBT+ community, told the Associated Press ahead of the hearing. The ruling is the latest in more than a decade of restrictions on LBGT+ rights under Vladimir Putin, who has put what he calls “traditional family values” at the centre of his appeal to the Russian public. In 2013, the Kremlin adopted legislation known as the “gay propaganda” law, banning any public endorsement of “nontraditional sexual relations” to children. In 2020, constitutional reforms pushed through by Mr Putin to extend his rule by two more terms also included a provision to outlaw same-sex marriage. After sending troops into Ukraine in 2022, the Kremlin ramped up its comments about protecting “traditional values” from what it called the West's “degrading” influence, in what many have seen as an attempt to legitimise the invasion as Western nations have lined up to support Ukraine. The language from Mr Putin regarding LGBT+ communities has ramped up as the Russian president has sought to set Moscow against the West in almost every facet of society. In the wake of the Ukraine invasion, the authorities adopted a law banning propaganda of “nontraditional sexual relations” among adults, also, effectively outlawing any public endorsement of LGBT+ people. Another law passed earlier this year prohibited gender-transitioning procedures and gender-affirming care for transgender people. The legislation prohibited any “medical interventions aimed at changing the sex of a person”, as well as changing one’s gender in official documents and public records. It also amended Russia’s family code by listing gender change as a reason to annul a marriage and adding those “who had changed gender” to a list of people who can’t become foster or adoptive parents. Samples of Mr Putin’s degrading language were illustrated by a speech last year where he said the West was welcome to adopt “rather strange, in my view, new-fangled trends like dozens of genders, and gay parades” but had no right to impose them on other countries. Such rhetoric has been decried by nations across the world. Mr Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters before the latest court decision was announced that the Kremlin was “not following” the case and had no comment on it. The Supreme Court took around five hours to issue its ruling. The proceedings were closed to media, but reporters were allowed in to hear the decision. LGBT+ groups had seen the decision as inevitable after the request by the justice ministry, which said – without giving examples – that “various signs and manifestations of extremist orientation, including the incitement of social and religious discord” had been identified in the activities of what it called the LGBT+ movement in Russia. The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, has repeatedly called on Russia to repeal its repression of LGBT+ rights and the UN as a whole, along with nations such as the US, UK and others have condemned such moves from the 2013 propaganda law onwards. Russian officials have tried to reject accusations of discrimination, despite a crackdown on freedom of expression. Earlier this month, Russian media quoted Andrei Loginov, a deputy justice minister, as saying that “the rights of LGBT people in Russia are protected” legally. Mr Loginov spoke in Geneva, while presenting a report on human rights in Russia to the UN Human Rights Council, and argued that “restraining public demonstration of non-traditional sexual relationships or preferences is not a form of censure for them.” For LGBT+ groups and activists, there are deep fears that this is just the beginning of another round of arrests. “Of course, it’s very alarming, and I don’t remember the threat ever being so serious and real,” Alexei Sergeyev, an LGBT+ activist in St Petersburg, told Reuters earlier this month. More than 100 groups are already banned in Russia as “extremist”. Previous listings, for example of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious movement and organisations linked to opposition politician Alexei Navalny, have served as a prelude to arrests and court cases. Mr Sergeyev said activities such as psychological and legal support, or even “meetings where you can just sit and drink tea”, would be driven underground, given the broad and vague nature of this ruling – depriving many LGBT+ people of support. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Read More Russia's Lavrov faces Western critics at security meeting, walks out after speech Putin asks Russian women to have ‘eight or more’ children amid deaths in his war Russia-Ukraine war live: Families trapped under rubble after missile strike Ukraine spy chief’s wife treated for suspected metal poisoning Putin won’t consider stopping Ukraine war until after US election – official Chechen warlord Kadyrov offers Putin 3,000 more fighters amid heavy Russian losses
2023-11-30 21:56
Youth coach hopes Women's World Cup raises soccer's profile for Maori people in New Zealand
Youth coach hopes Women's World Cup raises soccer's profile for Maori people in New Zealand
When New Zealand kicked off the Women’s World Cup opener against Norway last week, just three of the 23 Football Ferns traced their roots to the Indigenous Maori people
2023-07-25 13:56
10 celebrities with almost no haters
10 celebrities with almost no haters
Loved for their talent, charisma, and often, their philanthropic endeavors, these celebrities stand as beacons of positivity
2023-11-02 17:55
Andrew Tate defends donation to Palestinian children amid criticism asserting 'people are never happy', Internet labels him 'narcissist'
Andrew Tate defends donation to Palestinian children amid criticism asserting 'people are never happy', Internet labels him 'narcissist'
Andrew Tate said, 'It’s important you give for yourself and for God, because you can never please people'
2023-10-14 16:59
Travis Barker's daughter Alabama Barker stuns fans with 'gorgeous' hair makeover: 'This color was made for you'
Travis Barker's daughter Alabama Barker stuns fans with 'gorgeous' hair makeover: 'This color was made for you'
Alabama Barker, 17, has been the talk of the town for posting 'inappropriate' content, and her parenting has often been questioned for the same
2023-07-16 14:56
Power outages across Kenya approach the 12-hour mark with little explanation and a rare apology
Power outages across Kenya approach the 12-hour mark with little explanation and a rare apology
Much of Kenya is still without electricity almost 12 hours after an unexplained power outage Friday night shut down the country’s main international airport and led to a rare public apology by a government minister
2023-08-26 15:24
Ecuador politician murder: Prison gangs in terror reign
Ecuador politician murder: Prison gangs in terror reign
A presidential candidate has been killed in the latest assassination in Ecuador as gang crime soars.
2023-08-10 21:29
Biden cancels Australia visit as debt ceiling default nears
Biden cancels Australia visit as debt ceiling default nears
By Steve Holland and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An unfolding crisis over the U.S. debt ceiling prompted President Joe Biden
2023-05-17 06:45
James McClean: Derry's Creggan gave me everything to succeed
James McClean: Derry's Creggan gave me everything to succeed
A street party will be held where he grew up to honour the Irish international on winning 100 caps.
2023-06-24 13:26
EU pushes 10-year renewal for controversial herbicide
EU pushes 10-year renewal for controversial herbicide
The European Commission proposed to renew the use of the controversial and widely used herbicide glyphosate in the EU for 10 years on Wednesday, after a report...
2023-09-20 22:54
Is it chicken? Here's how the first bite of 'cell-cultivated' meat tastes
Is it chicken? Here's how the first bite of 'cell-cultivated' meat tastes
AP health reporter JoNel Aleccia taste-tested “cell-cultivated” meat made by two California firms that were the first to get U.S. Department of Agriculture approval to sell the novel product
2023-06-22 12:28
Karen Vergata: Gilgo Beach murders police identify body found in 1996
Karen Vergata: Gilgo Beach murders police identify body found in 1996
No-one reported the 34-year-old missing after she vanished on Valentine's Day 1996.
2023-08-05 03:53