Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On 30 June the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, signed into law the Bill banning the "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors".

I tabled this question in order to draw attention to what is happening in that country and to afford an opportunity for this House to put forward a unified voice in articulating our total abhorrence of how LGBTI people are being treated in Russia. The posting of online videos of homophobic attacks, which are being done under the cloak of this legislation, have shown incidents of kidnap, assault and torture and serve, in their turn, to encourage more such attacks.

The United States President, Barack Obama, has spoken out openly against the new law. The Australian Government has called on the International Olympic Committee to reconsider the staging of the Winter Olympic Games in Russia. As part of the global speak-out day of action, at least 33 cities in 21 countries held events to protest the legislation. An online petition has received huge support. The Tánaiste indicated that he condemns the law and has made our position known to the Russian ambassador. The Tánaiste further stated that he is committed to pressing the issue bilaterally, at EU and international level. Is there anything else we in this House can do to articulate our opposition to this law? It is important to note that the measure has an impact beyond Russia in that it will encourage governments in other countries which would seek to introduce similar laws.

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