Russia makes it a crime to work with ILGA World on behalf of LGBTQ rights
Ministry of Justice adds the LGBTQ advocacy group to list of ‘undesirable organisations’
Russia’s Ministry of Justice has added the LGBTQ advocacy federation ILGA World to its list of “undesirable organisations,” which opens the way for people convicted of working with ILGA World inside Russia to be sentenced to up to six years in prison.
This news site’s financial sponsor, St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation, is a member of ILGA World.
In response to Russia’s action, ILGA World stated, “Together with ILGA-Europe, we acted without delay to take responsibility for the mitigating measures within our control, reaching out to member and partner organisations in and from Russia.”
ILGA World said the Russian move continues a pattern of intensifying authoritarian repression:
- The law is one of the repressive tools Russian authorities have adopted to silence all criticism of the government, including about the ongoing invasion and war on Ukraine, and incapacitate civil society
- This law adds to the arsenal of provisions that, for over a decade, Russia has used to crack down on LGBTI activism
- ILGA World says that this designation is yet another step in [Russia’s] persistent harassment and criminalisation of LGBTI human rights defenders and populations.
The designation “reportedly includes eight other organizations from the United States and across Europe”, the Washington Blade reported.
The Russian Supreme Court in 2023 banned the “international LGBT movement” as an extremist organization.
“Designating human rights groups ‘undesirable’ is outlandish and cynical, yet here we are,” said ILGA World Executive Director Julia Ehrt. “But no matter how much governments will try to legislate LGBTI people out of existence, movements will stay strong and committed, and solidarity remains alive across borders. And together, we will continue building a more just world for everyone.”
ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – is a federation of more than 2,000 organisations from over 170 countries and territories campaigning for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people.
Its members are based in six regions: Pan Africa ILGA, ILGA Asia, ILGA-Europe, ILGALAC (Latin America and the Caribbean), ILGA North America and the Caribbean and ILGA Oceania.
