4 November 2010

Re: Russia- Five human rights defenders attacked during an LGBTI demonstration
On 30 October 2010, at approximately 3pm, five human rights defenders were attacked in the city of Tomsk by a group of eight people while participating in an LGBTI demonstration. The names of the human rights defenders are being withheld for personal security reasons. The demonstration began when activists from regional LGBTI organisations began distributing leaflets with statements from famous people on the topic of homophobia and calling for tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The participants in the demonstration operate openly in the sphere of combating human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The participants were attacked by a group of eight people who covered their faces with green and white scarves, the colours of the local football team. Four men suffered serious injuries as a result of the attack. The fifth participant, a woman, was not beaten. The four men were kicked to the ground and beaten by their attackers who shouted slogans such as “beat the faggots!” Although the attack took place less than 20 meters from a police station, the police failed to intervene directly to stop the attack, they called an ambulance. One of the activists managed to escape the scene and ran to the police station at which point the attackers fled. One of the activists is currently in hospital, in a critical condition.

Two activists filed complaints about the attack at the local police station the same day and another activist in hospital is still physically unable to lodge a complaint. To date, the police have failed to launch a criminal investigation.

Front Line is gravely concerned about the physical and psychological integrity of LGBTI defenders, in the city of Tomsk and throughout Russia, who face increased risk of persecution because of their work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is also concerned about the failure of the police to protect LGBTI defenders effectively.

Front Line urges the Russian authorities to:

Carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the attack on the human rights defenders who participated in the peaceful demonstration of 30 October 2010 in the city of Tomsk, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of human rights defenders in Tomsk, and throughout Russia, particularly by ensuring that adequate and effective security measures are provided to protect LGBTI human rights defenders at risk;

Publicly condemn the attacks on LGBT defenders and other forms of homophobic behaviour and make clear that such behaviour is unacceptable in Russian society and illegal under international law;

Ensure that all human rights defenders in Russia, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.