Designation follows Moscow bans on so-called ‘gender reassignment’ and ‘LGBT propaganda.’
Russia’s Supreme Court is drawing condemnation from Western rights groups after effectively banning pro-LGBT “activism.”
After a closed-door hearing on Nov. 30, the court upheld the Russian Justice Ministry’s contention that the “international LGBT movement” is “extremist” in nature and responsible for inciting “social and religious discord.”
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the legislation is expected to go into effect “immediately.”
Critics say the law’s broad definition of pro-LGBT “activism” grants officials considerable leeway in identifying—and penalizing—alleged violators.
In the run-up to the court ruling, some Russian rights groups said the proposed legislation violated Russia’s constitution as well as international rights conventions to which Moscow is a signatory.
In a Nov. 30 statement, Amnesty International decried the ruling as “shameful and absurd,” saying it could lead to a “blanket ban” on pro-LGBT organizations and violate freedoms of association and expression.
“Its repercussions are poised to be nothing short of catastrophic,” Marie Struthers, the group’s director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said.
Volker Turk, the United Nations’ high commissioner for human rights, likewise condemned the Russian court ruling.
“This decision exposes … anyone standing up for the human rights of LGBT people to being labeled as ‘extremist’—a term that has serious social and criminal ramifications in Russia,” he said.
Under Russia’s anti-extremism laws, organizations deemed “extremist” face automatic dissolution, while leaders of such groups can be jailed for up to 10 years.
Mr. Turk called on Russian authorities to repeal all legislation “that places improper restrictions on the work of human rights defenders or discriminates against LGBT people.”
Russia’s justice ministry has yet to comment on the court’s decision.
The Russian Orthodox Church, meanwhile, hailed the move, which it described as “moral self-defense.”
“The LGBT movement’s activities are aimed at removing Christian ideas of marriage and family from the public and legal sphere,” it said in a statement.
“If such a movement is given free rein in Russia, it will pursue the same goals as it has in the West.
“For us, this is unacceptable.”
