On Thursday, Russian lawmakers gave their approval to a bill that would expand an existing ban on the promotion of “LGBT propaganda” among children to include people of all ages. This move, which critics view as an attempt to further intimidate and oppress sexual minorities, received support from a majority of lawmakers. The authorities have already resorted to using existing laws in order to imprison gay rights activists and stop gay pride marches.
Any event or behavior that is perceived to promote homosexuality — whether it be online, in film, in books, in advertising, or in public — might be subject to a large fine if the new legislation is put into effect. According to NBC News, the law was voted unanimously on its first reading by the lower house State Duma. Legislators claim that they are defending morality in the face of what they argue are “un-Russian” liberal values promoted by the West. However, human rights groups claim that the moves are designed to criminalize representations of minorities such as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgender people (LGBT) in public life.
If a citizen is found to be spreading “LGBT propaganda,” they might face a fine of up to 400,000 roubles ($6,500) under the new legislation. Foreign nationals found guilty of offenses in Russia face the possibility of being expelled from the country, while fines for legal corporations can reach up to 5 million roubles. Alexander Khinshtein, a member of the legislature and one of the major architects of the measure, has refuted claims that it is an act of censorship.
We are not going to prohibit making references to LGBT as a cultural phenomena. At the hearing that took place a week ago, he stated that “we are forbidding propaganda and the phrasing is absolutely crucial here.”
Other post- U.S. calls Russia’s UNSC meeting a “waste of time”
On Thursday, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, criticized Russia for calling a meeting of the United Nations Security Council “solely for the purpose of spreading disinformation.” The allegations that the United States and Ukraine are working together to create biological weapons have been in the forefront of recent press coverage. Russia is responsible for the convening of the summit.
What happened?
However, the United States insists that the biological labs in Ukraine are only used to strengthen public health and biodefense capabilities, despite the fact that it financially supports the facilities. According to a recent report by the Associated Press (AP), Russian government representatives recently submitted a resolution for the United Nations Security Council to establish a 15-member panel that will be responsible with probing claims of joint biological weapons use.
What she is saying is as follows: “While I believe this meeting is a colossal waste of time — and we should decide just how much of our time we allow Russia to waste — I am glad this Council has the chance to see Russia’s disinformation campaign for what it is: an attempt to distract from the atrocities Russian forces are carrying out in Ukraine and a desperate tactic to justify an unjustifiable war,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “While I believe this meeting is a
Russia’s response
“We have heard Russia sound the alarm that biological weapons could be transported by birds, bats, and now even mosquitoes… It is common knowledge in Russia that laboratories responsible for public health do routine research on migratory animal species in order to evaluate and combat animal-borne illnesses “the fact that she noted. Keep in mind that, much like Russia, birds and bats do not typically recognize or respect the sovereign borders of other countries.
“Russia’s statements are ludicrous for a variety of reasons, including the fact that such creatures, even if they were capable of being weaponized, would constitute just as big of a threat to the European continent and to Ukraine itself as they would to any other country.”
The overall picture: The previous week saw the imposition of martial law by Russian President Vladimir Putin in four freshly acquired territories of Ukraine. Ukraine has expressed worry regarding recent threats made by prominent Republican politicians in the United States to cut aid to Ukraine in the event that Republicans be victorious in the House of Representatives in the midterm elections that will take place next month in the United States.
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