The Equal Rights Coalition strongly condemns the Russian Supreme Court designating the so-called 'international public LGBT movement' as extremist on 30 November, 2023. The coalition also recalls its previous statements on the legal situation of LGBTIQ+ people in the Russian Federation.
This Supreme Court ruling, issued behind closed doors, contributes to the further infringement of the constitutional rights of the already stigmatized lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. It effectively criminalizes any activity perceived as supporting LGBTIQ+ persons. Anyone living as part of this group is acutely vulnerable to persecution. It is a further attempt by the Russian authorities to marginalise LGBTIQ+ citizens. The Russian authorities have already banned any discussion and sharing of information about LGBTIQ+ persons, and outlawed gender confirming procedures. Classifying potentially all organizations and persons involved in exercising the human rights of LGBTIQ+ persons as 'extremist' serves to further erode their ability to live with dignity in Russia. This decision became yet another example of systemic human rights violations and promotion of hate speech, cultivated in the Russian state.
