Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the report from Human Rights Watch on the effect of the 2013 law banning gay "propaganda" in Russia on the incidence of homophobic attacks and on the reaction to crimes against LGBT citizens, what representations they have made to the government of Russia about the status of LGBT citizens of that country.

We have raised concerns about LGBT rights in Russia bilaterally at a number of levels since the law banning the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations” among minors was passed in June 2013. Most recently, the Minister for Europe discussed concerns about the protection of LGBT people in Russia with the Russian Ambassador on 18 December. He expressed deep disquiet at the findings of the Human Rights Watch report and the impact of the law on the LGBT community in Russia. FCO officials also raised the safety of participants at LGBT events with the Russian authorities in November.

FCO officials in Russia meet regularly with LGBT activists and attend LGBT events, such a Queerfest and the Side-by-Side Film Festival, to provide support. This year we are supporting the operation of a counselling hotline for the LGBT community in Russia, as well as a capacity building project for Russian LGBT campaigners. We also supported the Russian Open Games in February, a five day international sporting event organised by the Russian LGBT Sports Federation.