Russian gay rights campaigners appeal to European court over Pride bans
Gay rights activists in Russia have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights after being banned from holding Pride marches in St Petersburg.
Last June, 14 campaigners were arrested for administrative violations after organising an unsanctioned march. A week ago, eight people were arrested in the city for attempting to hold a Pride march.
The RIA Novosti news agency reports that the case is being brought by the Ravnopravie (‘Equality’) organisation which says city authorities are guilty of “disguised discrimination”.
St Petersburg is one of four Russian cities to have introduced a law banning the promotion of gay and trans identities among minors.
The city now punishes the promotion of such identities with a fine of 5,000 roubles, £107 or up to 50,000 roubles, £1,070 for holders of public posts. The fines are increased tenfold again for legal entities.
