Russian Court Designates 'International LGBT Movement' as Extremist Organization, Further Tightening Social Control

In late November 2023, the Russian Supreme Court in Moscow ruled to formally designate the "International LGBT public movement" as an extremist organization, immediately banning its activities within Russia. Although the movement was not a formally registered entity, the ruling effectively placed any public advocacy or action related to LGBTQ+ rights under the threat of severe criminal penalties.

Human rights organizations and Western nations strongly condemned the move as another violation of fundamental human rights and individual liberties by Russia, signaling the Putin government's continued push for traditionalist and exclusionary ideology on social issues. For conservatives, while they generally support family and traditional values, such actions that classify non-violent social movements as "extremist" highlight a concerning trend of authoritarian states overusing judicial power to suppress social diversity.