The Supreme Court of Russia confirmed this Thursday the recognition of the international LGBTI movement as an “extremist organization” and, therefore, are prohibited in the country Your activities.

Behind closed doors, Supreme Court Judge Oleg Nefedov has ruled in favor of the claim presented by the Ministry of Justice a couple of weeks ago, when he considered that said movement violates the laws that They criminalize extremism and social and religious hatred.

The magistrate has assured that this decision “does not affect the citizens’ right to privacy and will not entail negative legal consequences”, although the restrictions are related to the broadcast of propaganda, advertising and generate interest among the population, as reported by the Interfax agency.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has regretted the ruling, which exposes anyone who raises their voice for LGTBI rights and freedoms to be classified as an extremist, with the “serious” criminal and social implications what that entails. Leaders of this type of organization can be sentenced to up to ten years in prison.

“No one should be imprisoned for defending Human Rights or seeing their rights curtailed for reasons of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Turk, in a statement in which he called on the Russian authorities to “immediately” repeal this type of laws and instead bet on “the principles of equality and non-discrimination”.

Turk has also expressed his concern about the fact that the term ‘extremist’ ends up becoming a weapon used against potential opponents, a category that would include not only politicians but also activists and journalists, among others.

Russia began its current repressive escalation against the LGTBI collective in 2013, with a first law against ‘gay propaganda’ that, under the premise of protecting minors, limited messages and activities. The latest constitutional reform also includes an explicit veto on same-sex marriage.