2023-11-30 12:40:02
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday virtually outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, in the most drastic move against gay and trans rights advocates in an increasingly conservative country.
Authorities identified “posters and demonstrations of an extremist nature” from an LGBTQ+ “movement” operating in Russia, which included “incitement to social and religious discord,” according to a statement announcing a lawsuit filed this month, which did not mention details. no evidence. In its ruling, the court declared the “movement” extremist and made it illegal in Russia.
The hearing was held behind closed doors and without representatives of the accused. Several rights activists have pointed out that the lawsuit was directed against the “international LGBT civil movement,” which is not an entity but a vague and general definition that would allow Russian authorities to persecute any person or group considered to be part of the “ motion”.
“Despite the fact that the Ministry of Justice claims to designate a non-existent organization as extremist, ‘the international LGBT civic movement’, in practice it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling at hand, apply it against active LGBTQ+ initiatives in Russia, considering them part of that civic movement,” explained Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer who works with the Russian LGBTQ+ community, speaking to The Associated Press before the verdict was issued.
Some LGBTQ+ activists have said they tried to present themselves as a party to the process, claiming it affected their rights, but were rejected by the court. The Justice Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit.
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