Russia’s Supreme Court bans LGBTQIANP+ movement for being “extremist”

Last Thursday, the 30th, the Supreme Court of Russia banned the “international LGBT movement” and its respective “branches” in the country, and justified the decision citing extremism.

The Russian court’s decision comes during a growing ultra-conservative context in the country. The United Nations (UN) made an official statement about the decision and expressed its condemnation of the measure.

Human Rights Watch’s associate director for Europe and Central Asia, Tanya Lokshinahe said: “The authorities’ measure apparently serves a dual purpose.”

“The aim is to increase the scapegoating of LGBT people to attract the Kremlin’s conservative supporters ahead of the March 2024 presidential vote and to paralyze the work of human rights groups that fight discrimination and support LGBT people”he completed.

“The attack on LGBT rights has become a symbol of Russia’s rejection of universal human rights, as the government positions Russia as a defender of so-called traditional values ​​in opposition to the ‘collective West,'” scored.

“Russian LGBT people need support now more than ever”Tanya emphasized.

This decision is another step towards the initiation of legal proceedings against any organization that seeks the rights of the LGBTQIAPN+ community in Russia.

The judge of the highest jurisdiction in the country, Oleg Nefedodecreed that the “international LGBT movement and its branches” are considered “extremist”. Furthermore, according to reports from AFP journalists, he requested the “prohibition of its activities on the territory of the Russian Federation”.

Oleg announced his decision to the media and stated that the action would take effect “immediately”. The session that decreed the ban took place without the presence of other lawyers, as there is no organization in Russia with the name “international LGBT movement”.