Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Seán Crowe TD, has raised the Russian government’s persecution of its Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) citizens with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Dáil.

Deputy Crowe said:

“I tabled this question in order to draw attention to what is happening in Russia and to afford an opportunity for the Dáil to put forward a unified voice in articulating our total abhorrence of how LGBT people are being treated in Russia.

“The so-called ‘Gay Propaganda Law’ which was signed into law by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on June 30, suggests that the current Russian government is not willing to respect the human rights of their LGBT citizens, and instead it wants to undermine their personal integrity and dignity.

“The posting of online videos of homophobic attacks, which are being done under the cloak of this legislation, have shown incidents of kidnap, assault and torture and serve, in their turn, to encourage more such attacks.

“I welcome the Tánaiste’s condemnation of the law and that he has made his position known to the Russian ambassador. He further stated that he is committed to pressing the issue bilaterally, and at EU and international level.

“It is important to note that this issue has an impact beyond Russia, in that reactions will influence governments in other countries who may seek to introduce similar laws.

“Human rights, such as freedom of assembly and equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are universal and it is important that they are respected all over the world.”

ENDS