Germany has condemned a new Russian law banning homosexual “propaganda”, with Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle – himself gay – saying on Wednesday that attempts to stigmatize same-sex relationships had no place in a democracy.
The controversial legislation banning “homosexual propaganda” is expected to be passed by the State Duma amid protests from gay-rights activists.
The All-Russia Popular Front (ONF) organization led by the ruling United Russia party has declared itself an official political movement.
On Tuesday, June 11, the Russian State Duma passed a draft law in the second and third reading banning propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors, Parliament TV reports. The law was passed in the third reading by 436 votes in favor. Compared to the original version of the draft law, the term “homosexualism” was […]
The Russian government has approved and submitted a draft law to the State Duma under which the conducting of religious rituals, ceremonies, prayers and religious meetings in public spaces will require the permission of local authorities. Dmitry Medvedev proposed equating such activities with rallies and processions, although rituals can be conducted inside churches, mosques and […]
[This article analyses United Russia’s political manoeuvres in relation to the Moscow mayoral race, scheduled for September 8, 2013 following the early resignation of Mayor Sergei Sobyanin—Ed.] United Russia Duma Deputy Irina Yarovaya has said that Prokhorov cannot run for Moscow Mayor’s office, even if he transfers his foreign assets to a trust. In her […]
Russian opposition and human rights activists are holding a protest march in Moscow in support of what the opposition calls victims of political persecution.
The arrest of Makhachkala’s ex-mayor Said Amirov has led to some unexpected consequences. Attorneys for the former mayor, who has been accused under several articles of the Criminal Code, are preparing to appeal to the European Court on Human Rights (ECHR) in which they are complaining about the actions of Russian siloviki [power ministry agents-Ed]. […]
Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov has supported the need for a new bill, which is currently being debated, to provide a wider range of grounds permitting inspections of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country.
Protests outside the Russian parliament building turned violent on Tuesday as clashes broke out between activists for and against two proposed bills – one restricting the “promotion” of homosexuality, the other “to protect religious believers’ feelings.”
