Russia: Putin signs controversial laws on homosexuality, religious protection
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 June 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia: Putin signs controversial laws on homosexuality, religious protection, 30 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51e79b7a31.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 30, 2013
People carry posters denouncing Russia's policies on homosexuality at a parade in Berlin on June 22.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed laws strengthening the penalties for "propagating homosexuality among minors" and for insulting the sensitivities of the religious.
The so-called "antigay" law Putin signed on June 30 introduces fines of up to 200,000 rubles ($6,700) for those found guilty of disseminating propaganda involving "nontraditional sexual relations" to minors through the media or Internet, which may cause a distorted understanding that gay relations and heterosexual relations are socially equivalent.
The addition to the law on freedom of belief and worship imposes fines up to 300,000 rubles ($10,000) for those convicted of "public actions expressing a clear disrespect to a community, committed with the goal of insulting the religious sensitivities of believers."
The law also makes it a crime to interfere with the activities of religious organizations.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
