The United States is withdrawing from a 1987 Cold War era nuclear arms treaty with Russia that bans ground-launched cruise missiles with a range from 500km-5,000km. These missiles take minutes to launch and leave little time for leaders to plan a defense strategy. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stated that the U.S. is withdrawing […]
Russian Official Calls for New Laws to Combat Domestic Violence, Regrets Decriminalization
Today, Russia’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova admitted that she regrets Russia’s decision to decriminalize domestic abuse last year and called for new laws to protect women and children from domestic violence. Moskalkova stated today that she “believes that decriminalization was a mistake and we need to adopt a law to combat domestic abuse.” She […]
Russian Authorities Refusing Investigations into Domestic Violence
A Human Rights Watch report found that Russian authorities do not investigate women’s claims of domestic violence and abuses because domestic violence is decriminalized in Russia. Instead, police recommend that women return to their abusers, leaving women with virtually no protection from intimate partner violence. Further, the report discovered that women are often blamed for […]
Russian Opposition Leader Arrested Amid Anti-Putin Protests
Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail for organizing Monday’s unauthorized protests, which drew thousands to the streets. He intends to run for president of Russia in the coming year on a democratic, anti-corruption platform.
Persecution of Gay Men in Chechnya Escalates
Reports are coming out of Chechnya that a large group of gay men are being held by the government in concentration camps and have been subjected to violent interrogations.
Gay Men in Chechnya Targeted by Police
The spokesperson for Kadyrov stated that the accusations made by the Novaya Gazeta were “absolute lies” and went on to claim that “you cannot detain and persecute people who simply do not exist in the republic.”
Russia Passes Bill Decriminalizing Forms of Domestic Abuse
The bill, which is referred to as the “slapping law” downplays the “battery within families” charge to an administrative offense rather than a criminal one.
Trans People Can No Longer Obtain Driver’s Licenses in Russia
The new regulations put trans folks and anyone suffering from “fetishism, exhibitionism, and voyeurism” among those with primarily physical impairments such as blindness who are barred from driving.
Obama Criticizes Russia’s Anti-LGBT Position
On Tuesday, President Obama vocalized concern over Russia’s anti-LGBT government policies on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Olympic Committee says LGBT Activists Will Not Be Punished in Russia Under Anti-Gay Law
The International Olympic Committee has stated that LGBT athletes and visitors of the 2014 Winter Olympics will not be penalized under extreme anti-gay legislation passed in Russia last month.