European Human Rights Court rules against Russia
over Moscow Gay Pride ban.
Gay rights activists in Russia are celebrating after the European Court of Human
Rights today upheld three complaints over Moscow’s ban on gay Pride marches.
Russian gay rights leader Nikolai Alekseev complained to the court that the
parade bans in 2006, 2007 and 2008 breached the European Convention on Human
Rights.
The court agreed and ordered Russia was to pay to Mr Alekseev 12,000 euros in
respect of non-pecuniary damage and 17,510 euros for costs and expenses.
The city’s last mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, repeatedly banned the marches on pretexts
of health and safety and has called gays and lesbians “satanic”.
Since 2006, campaigners have attempted to hold the events but these were broken
up by police.
