Any public activity related to what Russia sees as nontraditional sexual preferences could now be punished as “extremism.”
Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday, November 30, banned the “international LGBT movement,” now classified as extremism, paving the way for legal proceedings against any group promoting LGBT+ rights in Russia .
Judge Oleg Nefedov ordered “to recognize the international LGBT movement and its subsidiaries as extremist and to ban their activities on the territory of the Russian Federation,” stating that this ban will come into force “immediately.”
Under Russian criminal law, participating in or financing an extremist organization is punishable by up to 12 years in prison. A person found guilty of wearing symbols of such groups could face up to 15 days in prison for a first offense and up to four years in prison for a repeat offense. People suspected of belonging to an extremist organization are prohibited from running for public office.
Russian authorities have long used broad and vague antiextremism laws to prosecute peaceful critics.
Until now, LGBT+ people have risked heavy fines for engaging in “propaganda,” as authorities call it, but not prison.
Human Rights Watch wrote on its website: “Russian authorities must immediately end this brutal persecution of LGBT people and countries must support LGBT people and their defenders who face extreme risks and persecution in Russia.”
Human Rights Watch’s deputy Europe and Central Asia director, Tanya Lokshina, said the authorities’ actions appeared to serve a dual purpose: “The aim is to increase the scapegoating of LGBT people in order to appeal to conservative Kremlin supporters. Ahead of the March 2024 presidential election.” and paralyzing the work of human rights groups fighting decriminalization and supporting LGBT people.”
In December 2022, the Russian Parliament strengthened the 2013 ban on “gay propaganda,” expanding it to include any public information or activity that supports LGBT rights or displays a nonheterosexual orientation.