– In practice, the decision in the Supreme Court means the criminalization of LGBTIQ+ persons and their allies, says Mina Skouen, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
– Extremism charges trigger long prison sentences. The vague wording in the proposal gives the authorities wide powers for how the law is to be applied.
We are seriously concerned about mass arrests, a culture of fear and long prison sentences for both LGBTIQ+ persons themselves and key human rights defenders, says Skouen.
NHC encourages Norway to condemn today’s decision, and take other meassures to express solidarity with Russian LGBTIQ+ persons.
Norway could contribute to a safer situation for Russian human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and other persons at risk by issuing long term VISAs, and we encourage Norway to revise their current practice.
– They take an enormous personal risk by working to ensure that LGBTIQ+ people can live free and dignified lives. This happens just a short drive from the Norwegian border, she says.