Freedom of Speech
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Nikolai Baev at the protest organized in Ryazan. Photo GayRussia.Ru |
A perfect example of the institutionalization of violation of freedom of speech for LGBT people exists in Ryazan, where a regional law forbids the propaganda of homosexuality to minors.
In April 2009, Nikolai Baev and Irina Fet where arrested for hosting a one-man picket in front of a children’s library and school with a placard saying, “Homosexuality is normal” and “I am proud of my homosexuality.”
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Irina Fet at the action organized in Ryazan. Photo GayRussia.Ru |
The activists of GayRussia were arrested by the police and charged by a Judge under the law. Each of them was fined. The appeal Courts upheld the charges.
While Mr Baev appealed to the European Court for violation of article 10 and 14 of the European Convention, Irina Fet appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee for violation of article 19 and 26 of the ICCPR.
In 2009, Lithuania passed a similar law restricting the promotion of homosexuality.
GayRussia’s activists hope that their case will set a precedent in the history of the European Court and the UN Human Rights Committee and that it will be helpful for activists of other countries.
GayRussia.Ru
TODAY IN HISTORY
May 27
Russia decriminalized male homosexuality
In 1993, President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree which repealed the law forbidding male homosexuality. Starting from 2006, Russian gay rights activists started to celebrate this date by attempting to organize an annual gay rights march known as Moscow Gay Pride. The first edition was banned and marred with violence. It was reffered as the first Russian Stonewall.
May 17
Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
This day was founded in 2004 by French Academic Louis-Georges Tin to mark the anniversary of the declassification of homosexuality from the list of disease by the World Health Organization. Russian LGBT have been celebrating this day every year since 2005 under the leadership of Project GayRussia which was itself founded on May 17, 2005. GayRussia is Russia's coordinator of IDAHO.
May 15
Following Moscow in May 2009, Minsk was the second capital to host the Slavic Gay Pride. The March was banned and marred with violence but it did not prevent two dozens of Pride organizers from Moscow, Minsk and St. Petersburg to march over 300 meters waiving a 10meters long rainbow flag. 11 participants including some of the organizers were brutally arrested by police forces.
May 12
Lesbian same-sex couple attempt to register marriage in Moscow
2009 marked the launch of GayRussia's campaign for the opening of same-sex union of gays and lesbians in Russia. While the Constitutional Court already expressd the opinion that marriage is between a man and a woman, activists believe that the lack of partnership or marriage for gay couples is a strong point to impose legislative changes via a decision of the European Court of Human Rights.
April 11
Victory for Russian LGBT activists at the European Court of Human Rights
The five-judge panel of the Grand Chamber of the Court rejected the appeal of the Russian Federation in the Moscow Pride Ban case. The decision given on October 21 is final. By repeatedly banning Gay Pride Marches as well as other LGBT themed public action, Russia breached the European Convention on Human Rights.
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