23:58, 27 November 2018

ECtHR recognizes cancellation of gay parades in Sochi and Nalchik as illegal

The European Court of Human Rights. Photo: REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

The authorities that did not allow LGBT activists to hold protest actions in Sochi, Nalchik, and other Russian cities had violated their right to freedom of assembly, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled. The organizers of the gay parades were not satisfied with the European Court's decision, since no compensation was awarded to them.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Sochi administration had banned a march and a picket of LGBT activists scheduled for September 26, 2013.

In June 2013, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a law providing for the imposition of fines for the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations. The law caused concern of the international community, including the United States.

In 2009-2014, gay parades were illegally banned in Sochi and six other Russian cities, ruled the ECtHR. The bans contradict the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, states the website of the European Court.

The ECtHR has also pronounced a similar decision on a complaint against the cancellation of a gay parade in the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria. According to the European Court, Russia violated the right to freedom of assembly, and fears for public order were unfounded.

A gay parade in Nalchik was planned for March 2017, but instead of it, a rally of citizens was held with a demand not to sanction similar actions.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 27, 2018 at 05:35 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.