Sergey Katsuba1; 1 University College Dublin, Ireland
Discussion
This paper addresses the potential pathways for homophobic policies enacted by the Russian government. Based on my report for the Memorial Human Rights Centre, it delves into the consequences of Russia’s homophobic legal policies, underscoring the potential reforms. Over the past decade, the Russian government has intensified its campaign against LGBT rights through a series of laws: the 2013 “gay propaganda” law, its extension in 2022, and the 2023 Supreme Court ruling labeling LGBT identity as “extremist.” These laws are vaguely worded, permitting arbitrary interpretations and enabling authorities to punish individuals merely for expressing their sexual orientation or making neutral statements about LGBT topics. After 2022 it became a highly politicised tool of state repression with fines tripling in 2023.
The presentation analyzes two primary outcomes of these laws: direct discrimination and the amplification of hate crimes. Direct discrimination includes the legal penalties themselves, with individuals fined or punished for “propaganda.” The laws’ indirect effects are equally severe, as they foster societal prejudice and result in a significant increase in hate crimes targeting LGBT individuals. Independent data indicate over 1,200 incidents from 2010 to 2023, with spikes following legislative expansions in 2014 and 2023, highlighting these laws’ role in promoting societal hostility.
This analysis of both direct discrimination and societal impacts offers a foundation for advocating legal reforms in Russia in the future. What should be done when the conditions allow those reforms? By addressing these consequences, the presentation provides a set of recommendations for legal change aimed at safeguarding LGBT rights. It further suggests strategies for international organizations to support these reforms, aiming to establish a legal framework that upholds tolerance and equal rights for all individuals in Russia.
