Statement by: Yunei Kim, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the UN
As delivered

Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her remarks.

Australia has consistently voiced its deep concerns about Russia's crackdown on opposition voices, civil society, human rights defenders and independent journalists. Those who question Russia's illegal war in Ukraine face severe repercussions.

Today, we would like to focus on the deeply concerning treatment of LGBTI persons in Russia. We are alarmed by decisions to tighten anti-LGBTI legislation even further, and introduce a range of new prohibitions for transgender adults, including banning consensual medical care to affirm gender identity. Russia's anti-LGBT legislation must be repealed.

The persecution of LGBTI persons in the North Caucasus, including Chechnya, continues with impunity. Australia again calls for independent and credible investigations of alleged human rights violations in this region, including for recent attacks on human rights defenders and independent journalists.

Australia urges Russia to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or sex characteristics.

Madame Rapporteur, against this bleak backdrop, how can the international community support human rights defenders working to protect LGBTI people in Russia?