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Russia continued its rolling back of human rights support at a gathering of G8 foreign ministers hosted by Sec. of State Hillary Clinton. After an affirmation declaring that the G8 countries endorse LGBT rights was presented, only one nation refused to endorse the statement: Russia.
Following the meeting, a statement released by the G8 meeting chair read:
“The ministers reaffirmed that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all individuals, male and female, including lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals. These individuals often face death, violence, harassment and discrimination because of their sexual orientation in many countries around the world.”
With one glaring caveat:
"The Russian Federation disassociates itself from this language given the absence of any explicit definition or provision relating to such a group or such persons as separate rights holders under international human rights law.”
"Under the pretext of protecting the so-called sexual minorities," said Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov, "in effect there’s aggressive propaganda and the imposition of certain behavior and values that may insult the majority of the society.”
Russia's resistance to what officials call "aggressive propaganda" is apparent in the national version of St. Petersburg's "Anti-Pride" law that is currently being considered by lawmakers.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
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