Russian LGBTQ+ network has been added to the register of foreign agents

The organisation, along with five individuals, has been included in the register of foreign agents.

09.11.2021

On 8 November, the Ministry of Justice updated the register of media companies and unregistered associations that are believed to be performing the functions of foreign agents.

Ivan Pavlov, Valeria Vetoshkina, Maxim Zagovora, Maxim Olenichev and Elena Skvortsova were all added to the register. All of them have previously collaborated with the Human Rights Organisation Team 29 (already recognised as an ‘undesirable’ CSO), which ceased operations in the summer of 2021.

The Russian LGBTQ+ network was added to the register of unregistered public associations performing the functions of a foreign agent.

The organisation said it will continue to work and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and activists.

“At the current moment we do not really understand why we have been designated as a foreign agent. We do not agree with this statement. We are not engaged in any political activity, we simply provide legal and psychological assistance and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community,” the organisation said in an official statement.

The Russian LGBTQ+ network plans to appeal their inclusion in the register.

In total, as of 9 November, there are 93 entries in the register of foreign media outlets and 3 in the register of unregistered associations of foreign agents.

Source: https://www.asi.org.ru/news/2021/11/09/rossijskuyu-lgbt-set-vnesli-v-reestr-inoagentov/

Translated by Holly Battye