Russia’s Supreme Court opened the way for greater repression of the LGBT community by banning the activities of the international movement, which it described as extremist.

The decision comes amid an ultra-conservative turn in the country, which is now positioned as a standard-bearer of ‘traditional’ values ​​against the perceived liberalism of Western countries.

Anti-LGBT policies have increased following the Russian offensive against Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the repression against any criticism of President Vladimir Putin’s government has also intensified.

The judge of the country’s highest jurisdiction, Oleg Nefedov, ruled that “the international LGBT movement and its members are extremists” and accordingly ruled on the “ban on their activities on the territory of the Russian Federation,” according to journalists from the Russian Federation. AFP.

Nefedov specified that the decision took effect “immediately.”

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, quickly denounced this statement.

“No one should be imprisoned for defending human rights” or “deprived of their rights because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he said in a statement.

Amnesty International, in turn, warns that the decision could have catastrophic consequences.

“There is a risk of a complete ban on LGBTI organizations, which would lead to far-reaching violations of the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the right to non-discrimination,” Marie said. Amnesty International’s Director of Eastern Europe and Central Asia said this in a statement.

Struthers warned that “this will affect countless people and the consequences could be catastrophic.”

“There is no doubt that this will lead to the persecution of LGBTI activists, rendering decades of their courageous and dedicated work worthless, while threatening to initiate and legitimize a whole new level of violence against LGBTI people across Russia ”, he opined.

The measure adopted today by the Russian judiciary has an “immediate” effect and bans propaganda, advertising, generating interest and encouraging entry into the ranks of the LGBT movement.

At the same time, the ruling “does not affect citizens’ right to a private life,” as homosexuality ceased to be a crime in this country in 1993.

The hearing, the first in this case, lasted only a few hours and took place without lawyers – as there is no organization in Russia called “international LGBT movement” – and behind closed doors, as the case was classified as “secret” classified. .

“LGBT people are not poor gays or lesbians that, we are told, Russia has decided to fight against. “It is a well-organized and planned project to undermine traditional societies from within,” Piotr Tolstoy, vice president of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, said on Telegram.

Until now, LGBT people have faced heavy fines if accused of what authorities call “propaganda,” but no prison sentences.

Ian Dvorkin, founder in Russia of the NGO Center T, which helps transgender people, fled the country for fear of being accused “of extremism” and was jailed for founding the association.

“Working in Russia is becoming very insecure (…) It seems that [militantes LGTB] “If they survive, they will live completely hidden,” he told AFP.

Since 2013, a law has banned the ‘propaganda’ of ‘non-traditional sexual relations’ aimed at minors, a text denounced by NGOs as an instrument of homophobic repression.

This law will be significantly expanded at the end of 2022. She now bans LGBT ‘propaganda’ for all target groups, in the media, on the internet, in books and films.

In July, Russian deputies also passed a law targeting transgender people, specifically banning them from surgical procedures and hormonal therapies. (JO)