A joint Third Party Intervention by the Equal Rights Trust, Equality Now and the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre was submitted to the European Court of Human Rights on 29 January 2020.

The submissions address current human rights standards and requirements on the definition and interpretation of rape and its investigation, and the necessity to examine rape complaints and their investigation under the right to non-discrimination (article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights) in conjunction with the prohibition of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment (article 3). The applicant in this case is a Russian national who claims that the State failed to conduct an effective investigation into her allegations of rape by her husband.

On International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia the Equal Rights Trust calls for increased protection of LGBT+ individuals in Russia. Our call is made in light of reports of increasing discrimination and persecution in the country, including in particular the recent horrific reports of the torture and murder of LGBT+ individuals in Chechnya. These reports demand an urgent response. The Equal Rights Trust has been working with LGBT+ groups in Russia for many years. We have noted that increasingly restrictive legislation and inadequate court protection have played a significant role in perpetuating this climate of intolerance and discrimination. We all have a responsibility to act.

Russian Authorities