British NGO denounces Russia’s ban on LGBT activities

Russia’s prohibition on the “international LGBT movement” has drawn harsh criticism from human rights advocacy organisation Amnesty International, which is based in London.

The head of the NGO for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, asserted that the ruling by Russia’s Supreme Court, which she described as “shameful and absurd,” amounted to “a blanket ban on LGBTI organisations” and would open the door to discrimination.

Struthers stated in a statement on Amnesty International’s website, “It will affect countless people, and its repercussions are poised to be nothing short of catastrophic.” She demanded that Russia “review this ruling immediately.”

The Russian Justice Ministry requested on November 17 that the “international LGBT movement” be included to the nation’s list of extremist organisations. The ministry cited “incitement of social and religious discord” in addition to vague “extremist traits.” There were apparently more than 20 volumes of casefiles during the closed-door session on Thursday.

Groups listed as “extremist organisations” are essentially prohibited from engaging in any of their activities or using any of their insignia.

It is unclear which individuals and groups would be impacted by the decision, which coincides with Russia’s crackdown on “LGBT ideology.”

The nation banned LGBT “propaganda” that was directed towards children in 2013. In November 2022, the law was amended to outlaw transgenderism and “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and preferences.”