European court strikes down Russia's 'gay propaganda' law

Moscow [Russia], June 21 (ANI): A European court has declared a Russian law banning expressions of "gay propaganda" to be discriminatory, ordering Moscow to pay out compensation to three gay rights activists and setting the stage for further conflicts with Europe over Russia's treatment of gays and lesbians.

In a statement, the European Court of Human Rights said that Russia's adoption of the 2013 law "had reinforced stigma and prejudice and encouraged homophobia, which was incompatible with the values of a democratic society", the Washington Post reported.

According to the court, the law violated articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, of which Russia is a signatory, providing for freedom of expression and a prohibition on discrimination.

The ruling comes just weeks after French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel separately pushed Russian President Vladimir Putin on numerous reports about the abductions of as many as 100 Chechens suspected of being gay. (ANI)

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