CEDAW/C/RUS/CO/8

Russian Federation (CEDAW 20-11-2015)

The Committee considered the eighth periodic report of the Russian Federation (CEDAW/C/RUS/8) at its 1335th and 1336th meetings, on 27 October 2015 (see CEDAW/C/SR.1335 and 1336). The Committee’s list of issues and questions is contained in CEDAW/C/RUS/Q/8 and the responses of the Russian Federation are contained in CEDAW/C/RUS/Q/8/Add.1.

Concluding observations

41. The Committee notes that the laws adopted at the regional and federal levels banning the “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations to minors” have been upheld by the Constitutional Court (rulings Nos. 151-O-O of 19 January 2010 and 24-P of 23 September 2014) and may reinforce homophobia. It is concerned at reports of discrimination, harassment and hate speech, based on negative stereotypes, against lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women, including by the police. The Committee is also concerned at reported cases of unjustified dismissals of teachers belonging to the lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.
42. The Committee urges the State party:

(a) To provide necessary protection against discrimination and violence against lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women, in particular through the adoption of anti-discrimination legislation and the revision of the existing discriminatory laws that prohibit intersecting forms of discrimination;                                        

(b) To provide training to the police and law enforcement officials, as well as awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public;                                        

(c) To ensure that lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex women do not face discrimination in their professional life.