The Russian State Duma has approved this Thursday in first reading a reform to toughen the law that prohibits LGTBI “propaganda”, in such a way that the defense of non-traditional sexual relations before any age group will be penalized — not only before minors– and information that denies “family values” will be limited.
With this new law, the Russian authorities tighten the criteria established in a 2013 law that was already harshly criticized by human rights organizations, who are now warning of a reinforcement of conservative positions in Russia taking advantage of the war in Ukraine.
The reform also contemplates the propaganda of pedophilia and information that encourages sex changes among adolescents, according to the Interfax news agency. The Government will have the power to close media outlets or Internet pages that break the law, as well as to expel foreign citizens.
The text must complete the processing in the Lower House before passing to the Federation Council, equivalent to the Senate, and to the table of the president, Vladimir Putin, who is responsible for the final promulgation of the project, although surprises are not expected in any of these phases.
