Russia: Gay activists lodge complaint with ECHR against rejected rally application

Gay rights rights activists in Russia have lodged a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights after they were prohibited from holding an equal marriage rally in central Moscow.

The activists, supported by Nikolai Alekseyev, told RIA Novosti their application made in October 2013 was banned due to the country’s legislation against gay “propaganda.”

Although they had initially turned to Moscow’s Tverskoy District court, it declared the decision lawful and upheld the ruling.

Alekseyev said that for the last year 90 applications have been turned down by Moscow authorities, all of which were challenged in the Russian court and then in the ECHR.

The activists have turned to the ECHR, raising their claim under Article 11 which protects the right to freedom of assembly and association, as well as Article 13 which provides right to an effective remedy, and Article 14 which contains a prohibition of discrimination.

Eight gay rights activists were detained for ‘disobedience’ earlier this month after handing out pro-LGBT flyers for National Coming Out Day.

In May, Moscow police detained two people for taking part in a pride rally which was denied official permission.

Police routinely deny permission for gay pride events and marches, claiming they will lead to violence, in addition to violating the state’s ‘gay propaganda’ law.

President Vladimir Putin signed law last year banning the promotion of “non-traditional relationships” toward minors, a move that has been criticised as part of a broader crackdown on Russia’s gay community.

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