Last Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights ruled to fine Russia for the prevention of gay rights demonstrations over the past decades. The charges were brought up by activist Nikolai Alexeyev (pictured at left), who calls the resultant punishment a “blow to Russian homophobia on all accounts.”Despite being kidnapped and threatened not to press charges earlier this month, activist Alexeyev successfully carried out his case. The court ruled that the Russian government had discriminated against gay rights activists by limiting their given right (guaranteed under the Russian Constitution) to assemble. The government’s defense – that allowing such parades would incite violence – was deemed insufficient; especially since recorded anti-gay rights comments from Russian government officials are numerous. The total cost of legal fees and damages end up just above $40,000, which Russia as a member of the Council of Europe (and therefore subject to the Court, which convenes in France), must pay.
Moscow’s history of homophobia would be considered extreme by most. The former mayor, Luzhkov, reportedly vowed never to allow gay rights parades and deemed homosexuals “satanic.” Though Medvedev as president has promised more democratic laws and rights, there has so far been little movement in that direction and it remains unclear whether Moscow’s new government – under Sobyanin, known for little other than a certain dedication to Putin – will be more open to the demonstrations. In the meantime, the gay rights community has experienced internal tension as Alexeyev (riding a wave of triumph too far, perhaps) has announced plans to sue a fellow activist over slander.
From the Moscow Times:
From the BBC:
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