Russia's tougher law on "
LGBT propaganda
" is "
deeply
" concerning and violates international human rights standards, new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday.
Russian deputies voted in first reading Thursday, October 27 a toughening of the controversial law repressing "
LGBT propaganda
", a new sign of the strengthening of the conservative line in the country.
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High Commissioner Volker Türk, who began his mandate on October 17, "
is deeply concerned by this latest development, which violates (...) international human rights norms and standards
", declared his spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, during a regular press briefing in Geneva.
Discriminatory law
The 2013 law punishing “
LGBT propaganda
” among minors is reinforced by a ban on the “
denial of family values
” and the “
promotion of non-traditional sexual orientations
” among adults as well.
These prohibitions concern “
the media, the internet, literature and the cinema
” or even advertising.
The text also prohibits “
information likely to induce the desire to change sex
” for children.
Ms Shamdasani pointed out that the 2013 law was already considered by human rights experts to be "
discriminatory
", "
violating the fundamental right to freedom of expression, and leading to an increase in hate speech, hate crimes and abuse, including against children
”.
Repeal existing law
The tightening of the law adopted at first reading this week by deputies "
aggravates this situation by widening the scope of the law to a general ban on all communications on the subject, including to adults
", a- she indicated.
Two readings are still scheduled, before the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, studies it and it can be submitted for signature to President Vladimir Putin.
"
The High Commissioner calls on lawmakers (...) to reject this proposal, repeal the existing law, and take urgent steps to prohibit and actively combat discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. gender
,” his spokesperson said.
Mr. Türk “
also notes that the exclusion, stigmatization and discrimination of any group within a society is corrosive, constitutes a root cause of violence and has a negative impact on society as a whole
”, he said. -she adds.