Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia recognized as most homophobic countries of Europe

By the level of sexual minorities' rights, Azerbaijan takes the last, 49th place in the annual ranking of the ILGA-Europe – the European branch of the International Association of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgenders and Intersexuals. Russia is ranked 48th; Armenia – 47th.

The "Caucasian Knot" has repeatedly published materials on violations of sexual minorities' rights committed in Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.

In the ranking, countries are assessed by the criteria of equality, family relations, hate speech, and legislative recognition of gender identity, says the ILGA-Europe's website.

The above ranking was issued by May 17 – the International Day Against Homophobia. According to it, Malta provides the highest protection of LGBTs; and among the post-Soviet countries of Eastern Europe, Georgia is in the lead.

The ILGA's report, posted on the website, treats persecutions of gays in Chechnya as "a horrendous example of violations." It is noted that "gays' accounts in social networks were hacked; and information from their mobile phones was used to arrest other men."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.