Summary:

Activists fear that until the proposed bill is revoked, it could always come back on the table.

http://www.civilrightsdefenders.org/en/news/13887/

[12 December 2011] - The legislative assembly of St. Petersburg has decided to postpone the hearing of the anti-gay bill for the second time. The bill was introduced by Putin and Medvedev’s United Russia party and is an attempt to legalise discrimination against LGBT people in Russia [under the guise of "protecting" children from "homosexual propaganda"]. 

“Protesters all over the world have shown that this is not a bill that belongs in a European country in 2011, as it clearly violates human rights. Ahead of the EU-Russia summit mid-December, EU leaders should put pressure on Russia to scrap this law,” said Ninke Liebert, Programme Officer at Civil Rights Defenders.

Since the protest started, over 10,000 signatures have been collected against the bill in Russia and 220,000 abroad. Additionally, numerous mass street protests have taken place all over Russia.

“Until the bill is repealed it hangs over our heads like the sword of Damocles. It can be back on the table in no time and we need to continue campaigning against this blatant attempt to silence the gay community for good,” said Polina Savchenko, from our partner Coming Out.

Similar laws has already been passed in Ryazan Oblast and Arkhangelsk. 

Sign the petition against the bill!

Further Information: 

• RUSSIA: Stop draconian homophobic bill (2 December 2011) 
• NIGERIA: Tightening the noose on gay rights (18 November 2011) 
• UGANDA: 'Kill the Gays Bill' back in parliament (3 November 2011) 
• UNITED STATES-POLAND: US gov't says Catholic Church is central in promoting homophobia in Poland (12 September 2011) 
• EUROPE: Clear laws needed to protect trans persons from discrimination and hatred (July 2011)
• AFRICA: International pressure on anti-gay laws must not stop (21 April 2011) 
• LITHUANIA: Euro-Politicians Again Hit Out at Anti-Gay Proposals by Lithuanian MPs (20 January 2011) 
• Albania passes model law on LGBT discrimination (11 February 2010)
• LITHUANIA: New law bans discussion of homosexuality to 'protect minors' (4 June 2009) 
• CRIN issues: sexuality - why homophobia is a child rights issue=
• Read references to children in the Yogyokarta Principles on sexual orientation and gender identity
• Europe: Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States (April 2009)
• More on children's rights in Russia

Previous News release items

• 14/12/2011: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR): 2012 Membership Elections
• 14/12/2011: NEPAL: Gov't expels UN human rights watchdog
• 14/12/2011: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: Draft programme for 19th session released
• 14/12/2011: OPT: Record number of Palestinians displaced by demolitions as Quartet continues to talk (Arabic)
• 14/12/2011: UNICEF: 2011 a catastrophic year for children in Yemen (Arabic)

Contact Information:

Civil Rights Defenders
Stora Nygatan 26
SE 111 27 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone +46 8 545 277 30
Fax +46 8 545 277 50
email: info@civilrightsdefenders.org

Last updated 15/12/2011 03:50:05

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