On 14 November, the ECHR communicated the case of Maxim Lapunov, a victim in the mass persecution, organised by the Chechen authorities. The complaint was filed on 24 May 2019, regarding violations of four articles of the European Convention on Human Rights: article 3 (right to liberty and security of person), article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and article 14 (prohibition of discrimination).
The Russian LGBT Network appealed to the ECHR on behalf of Arbi Altemirov who fell victim to a mass campaign organized by the Chechen authorities against LGBT people. The appeal concerns violation of the article 2 (Right to life), article 3 (Prohibition of torture), article 5 (Right to liberty and security), article 13 (Right to an effective remedy), article 14 (Prohibition of discrimination) and article 34 (Individual applications) of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This is the second appeal to the ECHR concerning persecution of LGBT in Chechnya.
Yesterday we were informed that on September 30, one of the St. Petersburg’s courts decided to block the official group of the Russian LGBT Network in the social network "Vkontakte". The decision was issued after monitoring of the webpage of the group that revealed the presence of information, "which neglects family values, promotes nontraditional sexual relations and forms disrespect to parents and/or other family members". The Russian LGBT Network is going to appeal to the St.-Petersburg City Court.
52 Russian and International human rights organizations (including the Russian LGBT Network) signed the statement about the fact that Russia jeopardize online freedoms all over the world. The representative of Article 19 delivered the Statement at the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Genève.
On May 19th, GENDERDOC-M organized the annual march of equality in Chișinău, under the campaign Fără Frică de Iubire(Without the fear to love). However, unlike the last years’ experience, the march that included approximately 350 participants was able to reach its destination without being attacked and evacuated halfway through the route. The Ministry of Interior provided all necessary protections for the participants and despite the aggressive outbursts of the counter-protestors, the Pride march was not exposed to any violence.
A year has passed since the publication of first testimonies of LGBT people that faced persecution in Chechnya based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. However the unlawful detentions, humiliation and torture of LGBT people in Northern Caucasus persist. There are some things one can do to support the victims of the state-organized persecutions of LGBT in Chechnya.
