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UN human rights commissioner censures decision to outlaw LGBT movement in Russia

Volker Turk urged the Russian authorities to repeal any laws "that place improper restrictions on the work of human rights defenders or that discriminate against LGBT people"

GENEVA, November 30./TASS/. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk deplored the decision by the Russia Supreme Court to recognize the LGBT movement extremist, cautioning about "serious social and criminal ramifications in Russia."

In a statement circulated in Geneva, he expressed the opinion that due to this decision, now anyone who stands up for the rights of LGBT representatives risks being labeled an extremist.

Turk urged the Russian authorities to repeal any laws "that place improper restrictions on the work of human rights defenders or that discriminate against LGBT people."

On Thursday, Russia's Supreme Court recognized the LGBT movement as extremist and banned its activity in the country.

The court’s decision goes into effect immediately. The Justice Ministry previously filed a lawsuit to ban the LGBT movement. As the lawsuit pointed out, various extremism-related signs and manifestations, including incitement of social and religious discord, have been identified in the movement's activities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

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