Russia’s Supreme Court Bans ‘LGBTQ+ Movement’ As ‘Extremist’
As there is no official ‘LGBTQ+ Movement’, this ruling leaves the door open to potentially prosecute any activist in Russia.
The Russian Justice Ministry had announced on 17 November that it filed a lawsuit with the nation’s Supreme Court, seeking to outlaw the non-existent LGBTQ+ “international public movement”. The Ministry cited “incitement of social and religious discord” as “signs and manifestations of extremist nature” in the movement.
In a closed-door hearing which lasted four hours, the Supreme Court agreed with the Ministry’s case. The designation of the undefined ‘LGBTQ+ Movement’ as extremist is more than just symbolic. People deemed ‘participants’ in extremist movements can face up to five years in prison, while ‘organisers’ and donors can face sentences up to 10 years.
Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ+ community, told The Associated Press, “In practice, it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling in hand, will enforce (the ruling) against LGBTQ+ initiatives that work in Russia, considering them a part of this civic movement.”
Decade-Long Crackdown
While LGBTQ+ relationships are not illegal in Russia, whose government denies the community faces discrimination, this decision is the latest step of a decade-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ communities in the country.
The Kremlin introduced its initial legislation limiting LGBTQ+ rights, famously dubbed the “gay propaganda” law, which prohibited any positive portrayal of “nontraditional sexual relations” among minors in public spheres. In 2020, constitutional amendments championed by Putin included outlawing same sex marriages.
In 2022, with the escalation of the conflict with Ukraine, the Russian government further emphasised its image as a bastion of traditional values, opposing to the ‘degrading’ influence of Western countries. That the same year, authorities passed a law prohibiting the promotion of “nontraditional sexual relations” among adults as well.
In 2023, a further law banned gender transitioning procedures and gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, as well as any changes to one’s gender on documents and public records. It also amended Russia’s Family Code by identifying gender change as grounds for annulling a marriage and stipulating that people “who had changed gender” cannot become foster or adoptive parents.
Ruling “Catastrophic”, says Amnesty International
Commenting on the Supreme Court ruling, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, Marie Struthers, that the “shameful and absurd decision” represents “a new front in the Russian authorities’ campaign against the LGBTQ+ community”.
“The ruling risks resulting in a blanket ban on LGBTQ+ organisations, with far-reaching violations of the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to be free from discrimination,” she stated.
“It will affect countless people, and its repercussions are poised to be nothing short of catastrophic.
“There is little if any doubt that it will lead to the persecution of LGBTQ+ activists, undoing decades of their brave and dedicated work, while threatening to inspire and legitimise whole new levels of violence against LGBTQ+ people across Russia. We call on the Russian authorities to review this ruling immediately.”
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