Shocking Ruling: Russian Supreme Court Bans International LGBT Movement
Nov. 30 (UPI) — In a controversial decision, Russia’s highest court has ruled that “the international LGBT public movement,” is an extremist organization and is, therefore, prohibited.
The ruling comes after the Russian Justice Ministry filed a suit earlier this month, asking the court to make the declaration, sparking outrage and concern from human rights organizations and the United Nations.
The anti-LGBT movement claims that the international LGBT movement incites “social and religious discord,” but critics argue that this ruling could have severe repercussions on human rights defenders and advocates for the LGBTQ community.
United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, denounced the ruling, saying, “This decision exposes human rights defenders and anyone standing up for the human rights of LGBT people to being labeled as ‘extremist’ – a term that has serious social and criminal ramifications in Russia.”
Human rights organizations are calling for the immediate repeal of laws targeting the LGBTQ community and are speaking out against the vague language in the ruling, expressing concern that it could be used to persecute dissent.
Human Rights Watch released a statement denouncing the ruling and criticizing Russian authorities for misusing anti-extremism legislation to prosecute peaceful critics.