March 4, 2026: The Platform of Russian Democratic Forces at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) published an official statement in support of the Russian LGBT community. The reason for this move was acknowledgment the "Vykhod" group as an "extremist" organization, which, according to members of the Platform, is a continuation of the policy of systematically dismantling civil society in Russia.
We explain what this document says and why the authors consider the repression of queer people a threat to Russian society as a whole.
Context. On March 3, 2026, a court in St. Petersburg ruled in favor of the Ministry of Justice and designated the LGBTQ+ group “Vykhod” as an extremist organization, banning its activities within the Russian Federation. This decision was a continuation of the campaign for the “systematic destruction of civil society,” an important part of which, according to the authors of the statement, consists of independent organizations providing legal and psychological assistance.
In response, the PACE Platform issued its fifth joint statement. It emphasizes that the persecution of human rights defenders makes it impossible to protect the rights of vulnerable groups.
Why is this important?
The authors of the statement point out that a dangerous precedent was set as early as November 30, 2023, when the Supreme Court designated the nonexistent “international LGBT social movement” as extremist.
According to the Platform, the Russian authorities are using this mechanism to:
- The criminalization of any form of self-organization and solidarity.
- The Introduction of a Mandatory State Ideology under the guise of “protecting traditional values.”
- The Establishment of Totalitarian Practices, which deprive citizens of their personal autonomy and dignity.
What is the main threat to those who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community?
The document specifically emphasizes that the repression against the queer community is merely a “test run” for mechanisms that will later be applied to others.
“Stigmatization and criminalization can occur against any ‘different’ group—whether religious, ethnic, or socio-political.”, — the text states. The authors refer to this as a strategy for governing the country through the artificial division of society.
What are the authors of the statement proposing?
Members of the Platform believe that the actions of the Russian authorities directly contradict Council of Europe documents on human rights. In this regard, they call on international institutions to:
- Recognize the persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Russia as politically motivated.
- Develop special response and protection mechanisms for activists.
- Strengthen humanitarian support and emergency assistance programs for those who continue to work under pressure.
The statement concludes with words of solidarity with those who continue to defend human dignity in Russia, despite the threats.
- The Council of Europe (English: Council of Europe, French: Conseil de l’Europe) is an international organization that promotes cooperation among its members—the states and countries of Europe—in the areas of legal standards, human and civil rights and freedoms, democratic development, the rule of law, and cultural exchange.
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