European court condemns Russia on gay marches

Oct 21, 2010, 13:09 GMT

Paris - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled Thursday that Russia had violated several regulations, including the right to freedom of assembly, by banning gay rights marches in Moscow.

The case was brought to the ECHR by Russian gay rights activist Nikolay Alekseyev, who complained that authorities in Moscow had repeatedly turned down requests to organize gay rights parades in the city in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The mayor's office explained the refusals with the need to protect public order, health and morals, to guarantee the rights and freedoms of others, as well as to prevent riots.

City authorities also rejected the request to hold gay rights pickets, a decision that was upheld by a Russian court.

In addition to breaching the right of freedom of assembly and association, the ECHR also found Moscow guilty of violating European Convention on Human Rights articles on the right to an effective remedy and on discrimination.

The decision was not final. The case can still be moved to a different chamber for another hearing, where a final ruling and sanctions, if any, would be handed down.

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