The UN Human Rights chief deplored this Thursday the Russian decision to ban LGBTI+ activism, the most drastic measure against defenders of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Russia.
Volker Türk considered that the decision exposes anyone who defends the human rights of LGBTI+ people to being branded as an extremist, “a term that has serious social and criminal ramifications in Russia.”
“No one should be imprisoned for working to defend human rights or be denied human rights because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Türk said in a statement.
Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday confirmed the prosecutor’s accusation that the so-called “international LGBT movement” was committing extremist acts and “inciting social and religious discord.”
According to the court, such acts constitute a violation of the Russian law on combating extremism.
Under Russian law, an organization deemed extremist can be immediately dissolved and its leaders sentenced to prison terms of up to 10 years.
Members and people who collaborate with these organizations risk criminal charges and arrest, said the Austrian head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
“I call on the Russian authorities to immediately repeal laws that impose undue restrictions on the work of human rights defenders or that discriminate against LGBT people,” Türk urged.
According to the High Commissioner, the law “must support and defend the principles of equality and non-discrimination”, and must never be used “to perpetuate inequality and discrimination”.
Türk also said he remains concerned about the widespread use of the extremist label to persecute all those who consider themselves opponents, including politicians, journalists, human rights defenders and others.
Source: TSF
