Russian snub to homosexual documentary
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KATHMANDU , FEB 16 - The Russian Centre of Science and Culture on Monday refused to show a documentary on the rights of third genders, saying it was against the Russian law.
According to Blue Diamond Society (BDS), the documentary maker, the centre had agreed to show the documentary titled “Struggle Within” on Wednesday. However, after the centre came to know that the documentary was aimed at promoting the rights of the third genders and that it contradicted with the Russian laws, the show had to be stopped at the eleventh hour. The organisers and the invitees, who reached the venue on the given time, had to return right from the centre’s gate.
Though the Russian law decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, the government, in line with the stand of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been “systematically” discriminating individuals on the basis of their
sexual orientation, according to a UN Human Rights Committee report in 2009. All activities aimed at promoting the rights of sexual minorities are banned in Russia.
The documentary, which is an account of Nepali sexual and gender minorities facing work and labour-related dissemination, covers incidents such as Nepal Army’s act of firing two lesbians in 2007, People’s Liberation Army’s firing of two of its soldiers in 2005 and the like.
“Though the Supreme Court has already announced that all discriminatory laws against third gender must be repelled, the reality is different. This is one example to show that discrimination persists,” said BDS Chairman and lawmaker Sunil Babu Pant. BDS has also demanded clarification from the government on whether the centre can follow Russian law in Nepali soil.
As per the Vienna Convention 1969, any foreign embassy can follow its own law on its embassy premises, according to constitutional expert Kashi Raj Dahal. “As per the convention, foreign embassies can also enforce their laws in places where they have their ownership,” said Dahal. The center is operated under Russian Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Posted on: 2010-02-16 12:47
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