[Filmfestivalresearch] Berlin Demonstrates Against Saint Petersburg's Homophobic Law

[Manny de Guerre]

Berlin Demonstrates Against Saint Petersburg's Homophobic Law
 
Press Release: 14 February, 2012.

A demonstration, on Wednesday, 15 February, 2012 from 17.00 to 18.30 is to be held outside the Embassy of the Russian Federation (Unter den Linden 29, Berlin) in support of LGBT rights in Russia. The protest has been organized by Qvartira (an organization that brings together Russian speaking gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and friends in Germany), Saint Petersburg based Side by Side LGBT International Film festival, Hirschfeld-Eddy-Stiftung, LSVD  (Lesbian and Gay Association, Germany) and Rainbow Association (Moscow).
 
Organizers will deliver a statement addressed to both the Parliament and Governor of Saint Petersburg and to the Government of Germany.

The demonstration has been organized on the very same day that the Legislative Assembly in Saint Petersburg will hold the third and final reading of the bill which seeks to prohibit so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgender among minors." The two previous readings were backed by the majority of politicians and it is highly likely that the law will be passed.


The legislation, which has been forced through without any public discussion and has no scientific or medical grounding, contributes directly to spread of hatred and increase of xenophobia in society. The bill is a direct violation of the rights and freedoms of not only LGBT people but all Russian citizens, including the rights to freedom of expression and dissemination of information - all of which are enshrined both in the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as European Convention of Human Rights.


Since November, 2011 when the bill first became an issue of parliamentary debate in Saint Petersburg numerous organizations, both Russian and international, as well as governments of various countries from around the world have demanded the bill be withdrawn, calling for the observance of rights of LGBT people in Russia. In spite of strong protest from citizens and organizations as well as expertise analysis of the law by psychologists, doctors and lawyers, Saint Petersburg politicians have continued to forge the bill through.


To express disdain and outrage at the politics of hate directed towards the LGBT community, the harassment and violation of the of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in St.Petersburg and Russia as a whole is the reason for this demonstration outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin. A show of solidarity!


The purpose of our meeting is to attract the attention of the public and politicians in Germany and Europe to Russian LGBT issues.


We call on media and press to cover the demonstration and support democratic reforms. We appeal to non-governmental organizations, citizens, politicians and public figures of Russia, Germany  and Europe to support civic initiatives and to protect the constitutional
rights of Russian citizens.


Location:  Embassy of the Russian Federation in Berlin, Unter den Linden 29


Time: 15 February, 2012, 17.00-18.30


For Further Information: manny at bok-o-bok.ru  Tel: +49.175.628.6138


Website: www.bok-o-bok.ru  www.quarteera.de


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