Russian Activist Convicted Under Anti-Gay Propaganda Law

Russian Activist Convicted Under Anti-Gay Propaganda Law

By Brianne Yantz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – On Friday, a court in St. Petersburg fined prominent gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev for promoting homosexuality under a new municipal law that outlaws the distribution of “gay propaganda.”

Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev. (Photo Courtesy of AP)
Russian gay activist Nikolai Alexeyev. (Photo Courtesy of AP)

After his conviction, Alexeyev announced the decision by taking to the social media site Twitter and asking his followers, “who can pay my fine for gay propaganda in St. Petersburg?”

Alexeyev was arrested in April for picketing St. Petersburg city hall with a poster that said: “Homosexuality is not a perversion. Perversion is hockey on the grass and ballet on ice.”  He was fined 5,000 rubles ($170 USD).  He said he plans to appeal against the decision if it is upheld later this week and will bring the issue before the European Court of Human Rights, if necessary.

The legislation, which was enacted in March of this year by local lawmakers, has drawn international criticism with human rights activists and organizations denouncing the law as homophobic and unjust. As John Dalhuisen, the Europe and Central Asia director at Amnesty International, explained, “such laws threaten freedom of expression and fuel discrimination against the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community.”

Under the new law, public LGBTI events and demonstrations are effectively banned because of the pretext that the law is protecting minors. Furthermore, informational leaflets on rights or assistance or available advice are also severely restricted.

This suppression of LGBTI awareness from the public eye has driven concerns that the new legislation violates the rights of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the right to non-discrimination and equality before the law. Such rights have been guaranteed by various international human rights treaties to which Russia is a party.

According to Amnesty International, the anti-gay propaganda legislation in St. Petersburg was influenced by similar actions in other regions of the nation such as Arkhangelsk and Riazan. Additionally, laws that seek to ban “propaganda of homosexuality” are currently underway in regions such as Samara and Novosibirsk.

Despite the backlash, Moscow’s Mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, has defended the anti-gay legislation in Russia, arguing that gay gatherings are offensive to the religious beliefs of many Russians.

 

For more information, please see: 

NY Times – Russia: Gay Rights Activist Fined – 5 May 2012

Boston Herald – Gay Leader in Russia Convicted, Fined  – 5 May 2012

Amnesty International – Amnesty International Urges Russia To Reconsider Anti-Gay Laws, Condemns the Fining of Prominent Activist – 4 May 2012

BBC News – Gay Rights Campaigner Fined in Russia for ‘Propaganda’ – 4 May 2012

Prosecutor Recommends 80-Year Sentence for Taylor

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – A prosecutor’s brief submitted Thursday recommends that former Liberia President Charles Taylor, who was convicted of war crimes before the Special Court for Sierra Leone on April 26, serve 80 years for his transgressions.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 16.  His ultimate fate will be announced on May 30.

On April 26, Taylor was found guilty on eleven charges—including acts of terrorism, rape, pillage, and sexual slavery—pertaining to his involvement in Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war.  He provided support to the Revolutionary United Front in the form of arms and finances in exchange for “blood diamonds.”  According to the brief, his participation was “willing and enthusiastic,” and continued even as he publicly took part in peace negotiations.  The brief called him a “two-faced Janus.”  Taylor is the first former head of state to be convicted by an international tribunal since the Nuremberg Trials that took place after World War II.

In describing the former Liberian leader, the Prosecutor’s brief described him as more than “a simple weapons procurer or financier who sat on the sidelines of a civil war raging in a neighbouring country …”  Instead, he helped plan the three bloodiest incursions of the conflict, including the invasion of Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital.  Thousands of people died, with thousands more raped, enslaved, or crippled by limb amputation.  Taylor’s involvement proved so direct that the prosecutor concluded that “but for [his] criminal conduct, thousands of people would not have had limbs amputated, would not have been raped, would not have been killed.”

Each party will have one hour for closing arguments at the May 16 hearing.  Taylor will also have permission to speak for 30 minutes.  If convicted, he will serve his sentence in a British prison.

For more information, please see:

Liberian Observer — Prosecutor Seeks 80 Years for Taylor — 05 May 2012

Guardian (UK) — Charles Taylor Should Face 80 Years in Jail, UN Prosecution Urges — 04 May 2012

BBC — Sierra Leone Trial: 80 Years Urged for Charles Taylor — 03 May 2012

Special Court for Sierra Leone — Prosecution Sentencing Brief — 03 May 2012

Liberian Journal — Charles Taylor’s War Crimes Sentence Hearing Set for May 16 — 26 April 2012

Syria Human Rights Violations Report: 4 May 2012

 

Damascus | Al-Qaboun

After invading homes in the town, the regime’s forces continue driving around the town with their weapons and gear, intimidating the residents.

 

Damascus | At-Tadamun

Clear footage of the regime’s forces firing at unarmed demonstrators to break apart the demonstration.

 

Aleppo | Aleppo University

Regime forces attack a peaceful student demonstration at the university.

 

Homs | Al-Qusour

Even the UN monitors are not safe from the gunfire of the regime’s forces, who fire as the monitors park in front of a body to remove it from the street.

 

Videos Courtesy of:

Syrian Network of Human Rights – Violations Report – 3 May 2012