Respect, Protect, and Fulfill—or Reject, Neglect, and Regress? Children’s Rights in the Time of the Russian “Gay Propaganda Law”

The “gay propaganda law”—criminalizing public messaging supporting sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities in the presence of youth—implemented within Russia in 2013 has been widely criticized by those in the international field of human rights, yet remains in effect. Although the law is suppos...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health and human rights 2019-12, Vol.21 (2), p.325-330
Main Authors: VOYLES, CAROLINE H., CHILTON, MARIANA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Bioethics
Child abuse & neglect
Children
Childrens rights
Civil rights
Gender
GENERAL PAPERS
Homosexuality
Human rights
Human Rights - legislation & jurisprudence
Humans
Law
Minority groups
Propaganda
Respect
Rights
Russia
Sexual and Gender Minorities - legislation & jurisprudence
Sexual Behavior
Social Stigma
Well being
Youth
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The “gay propaganda law”—criminalizing public messaging supporting sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities in the presence of youth—implemented within Russia in 2013 has been widely criticized by those in the international field of human rights, yet remains in effect. Although the law is supposedly protecting the well-being of children, it is likely detrimental to youth who may be sexual or gender minorities. This paper uses the 2018 conviction of a minor for violating this law to frame a discussion concerning how Russia, rather than progressively respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of its people, is rejecting, regressing, and neglecting its rights obligations. In particular, we consider the rights outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to determine ways in which the Russian state could redirect its actions to support human rights for SGM people and their allies.
ISSN:1079-0969
2150-4113
2150-4113