President Vladimir Putin Signs The LGBT Propaganda Intermediate Law In Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new Navy doctrine (Source: TASS/Mikhail Claimyev)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that completely prohibits the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations, changes in gender and pedophilia, according to related entries made in Russia's State Duma.

Under the new law, such propaganda is now completely banned on social networks, in mass media, films and advertisements, reported by TASS December 6.

In addition, mass media watchdogs will be authorized to place websites with non-traditional sexual relations propaganda, pedophilia, and changes in gender into a list of banned resources to be blocked.

It will also be authorized to determine internet monitoring procedures to locate the site.

The law also prohibits the sale of goods, including imported goods, which contain information whose distribution carries administrative or criminal responsibility.

At the same time, another law signed by President Putin amended the Administrative Violation Code, to introduce administrative responsibility for the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among people of all ages, not just children.

"Such propaganda was previously only prohibited among minors. Meanwhile, the ban applies to all ages," said Russian Federation Council Constitutional Committee member Alexander Bashkin.

Under the new law, individuals can be fined up to 400,000 rubles (US$6,370) for "LGBT propaganda" and up to 200,000 rubles (US$3,185) for "LGBT demonstrations and information encouraging gender change among teens" as quoted by CNN.

This fine increased to 5 million rubles, (880,000 US dollars) and 4 million rubles (64,000 US dollars) respectively for legal entities.

The law was approved by Russia's upper and lower house in recent weeks.

To note, the new law significantly expands the scope of 2013 laws prohibiting the spread of LGBTQ-related information to minors. The new Iteration also expands the ban on promoting such information to adults.

Meanwhile, the European Human Rights Court ruled in 2017 that the 2013 law was discriminatory, promoting homophobia and violating the European Convention on Human Rights.