EU Concerned with Russia's New Homophobic Law

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton has expressed her concern over the approval by the Russian Duma of a federal law on the "propaganda of homosexuality to minors", making it an administrative offence under Russian law.

The controversial piece of legislation was adopted at first reading last week.

"The implementation of this law could reinforce discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals,transsexuals and intersex people as well as all those who support them and their choices, in particular by limiting their freedom of expression and their freedom of association and assembly," Ashton has declared in a statement.

"The High Representative calls on the Russian Federation to uphold its national and international commitments – in particular in the framework of the Council of Europe as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights – to protect the enjoyment of these rights by all individuals."