US slams Russian 'anti-gay' bill
2013-01-26 08:12
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Washington - The United States on Friday slammed a disputed
bill in Russia that would ban what lawmakers there call "homosexual
propaganda" among minors and could lead to gays being fined for
demonstrating or kissing in public.
"We are deeply concerned by this draft legislation in
Russia that severely restricts freedom of expression and assembly for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and, indeed, for all Russians,"
said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
"You know how strongly we feel about LGBT rights around
the world, how strongly the secretary of state personally feels that nobody
should be discriminated against for who they love," she told reporters.
Russia's parliament gave initial backing to the bill Friday
in a 388-1 vote in the first of three readings hours after police detained more
than 20 mostly young opponents who staged a "kiss-in" protest outside
the State Duma.
The nationwide proposal is based on local laws already
passed in Putin's native city of Saint Petersburg and five other Russian
regions.
Several of the bill's most ardent proponents said they were
protecting Russia from what they perceived as excessively tolerant attitudes in
other countries.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton already discussed the
issue with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov over a year ago, Nuland said.
The US comments come at a time of renewed tensions with
Moscow over civil liberties and human rights in Russia.
The bill in its current form prohibits "the propaganda
of homosexual behaviour among minors." Activists worry that the vague
wording could lead to gays being fined for demonstrating or even holding hands
in public.
It also sets out fines for violations of up to 5,000 rubles
($165) for individuals and up to 50,000 rubles for officials.
