Statement regarding the ban on the LGBT movement in Russia

Women in Black and Belgrade Pride will organize a protest in front of the Embassy of the Russian Federation on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 12 p.m., in response to the ban on the LGBT movement in Russia.
On November 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of Russia labeled the LGBT movement as an extremist organization and banned its activities within the territory of Russia.
This move represents another form of persecution under the long rule of Vladimir Putin's regime and will further contribute to the suppression of all LGBT individuals in Russia. Additionally, this verdict will contribute to the climate of impunity and unchecked violence that already exists in this authoritarian society, silencing the voices of those who dissent from the ruling regime.

The Russian Federation, engaged in aggression against Ukraine for two years, is actively conducting ethnic cleansing of minority groups through forced mobilization, openly violating the human rights of its own citizens by labeling them as foreign mercenaries and spies, banning the work of human rights organizations, and subjecting those who dare to protest to politically motivated trials and long prison sentences.

The authorities in Russia have a long history of persecuting LGBT individuals and anyone who is different. Today, no democratic country should adopt such shameful policies. Neither should the ruling party in Serbia, nor President Vučić, who personally called for the ban on last year's EuroPride in Belgrade, referred to trans individuals as "woke madness," and refused to sign laws that would enable equal lives for LGBT individuals in Serbia.
On this occasion, we express our:
Outrage at the actions of the Russian authorities;

Compassion for all those who are already and will be victims of persecution;

Demands to the authorities in Serbia to cease supporting the regime in Russia and distance itself from such persecutions.
In Belgrade, December 12, 2023.
Women in Black
Belgrade Pride
LABRIS - Organization for Lesbian Human Rights
GETEN - Center for the Rights of LGBTIQA Individuals
Group "IZAĐI"