Russia Adds LGBT Community to Terrorists’ Blacklist, Arrests Members
State media in Russia reported on Friday, March 22, that the country has classified the “LGBT movement” as an extremist and terrorist group.
This follows a decision by the Supreme Court of Russia last November, which ruled that LGBT activists are extremists.
Will Russia punish LGBTQ members?
According to Reuters, this ruling has raised concerns among gay and transgender communities about potential detentions and legal actions.
An agency known as Rosfinmonitoring, which is responsible for the list, has the authority to block the financial accounts of individuals and organizations identified as extremists or terrorists, a list that includes over 14,000 names from Al Qaeda to Meta and allies of the deceased Russian dissident Alexei Navalny.
The recent addition specifically targets the “international LGBT social movement and its structural components,” according to the state-run RIA news agency.
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In recent years, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Russia has been moving towards what it considers traditional family values, a stance that is presented as a contrast to what is seen as the decadent morals of the West.
This shift has resulted in increased limitations on the public expression of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The government has enacted legislation that prohibits the dissemination of information about “non-traditional” sexual relationships and has made it illegal to legally or medically alter one’s gender.
The Moscow Times reports that the Russian authorities have arrested employees of a gay club as part of the country’s first criminal “extremism” case against members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ghana passes strict anti-LGBTQ bill
Separately, Ghana’s parliament approved a controversial bill severely restricting the LGBTQ community, with religious and traditional leaders leading the initiative.
The bill imposes prison sentences for LGBTQ individuals and those advocating for their rights, including up to three years for identification and a maximum of five for the latter.
Despite needing approval from President Nana Akufo-Addo to become law, the bill enjoys strong support in Ghana.
Russia Adds LGBT Community to Terrorists’ Blacklist, Arrests Members
