Russia gay propaganda law discriminatory: European court

Between 2003 and 2013, Russia introduced laws that banned gay propaganda to minors, claiming the move would protect the nation's morals and prevent children from being led into homosexuality, Efe news reported.

Gay rights activists Nikolay Bayev, Aleksey Kiselev and Nikolay Alekseyev frequently protested the laws, holding demonstrations in front of a school, a children's library and an administrative building while holding banners stating that homosexuality is natural and normal.

All three were fined but appealed their sentences first to the Russian constitutional court and then to the ECHR, claiming it was unconstitutional to deny their right to freedom of expression.

The European Court on Tuesday ruled in their favour, deciding that Russia had to pay them 43,000 euros ($48,000) in non-pecuniary damages.

"Above all, by adopting such laws the court found that the authorities had reinforced stigma and prejudice and encouraged homophobia, which was incompatible with the values of equality, pluralism and tolerance of a democratic society," said the ECHR in a statement.

The court was further critical that the Russian laws were not clearly defined, leading to gray areas in how they were applied.

"The court rejected the government's claim that regulating public debate on LGBT issues had been justified by the need to protect morals," said the ECHR in a statement.

It added: "The government had failed to demonstrate how freedom of expression on LGBT issues would devalue or otherwise adversely affect actual and existing 'traditional families' or would compromise their future."

Alekseyev, who founded Moscow Gay Pride, took to Twitter to celebrate the win, posting links to articles that described the ruling and saying "Victory!" and "We won!"