Belarus parliament approves new law targeting ‘LGBTQ+ expression’

The Belarusian parliament approved a repressive law criminalizing 'LGBTQ+ expression', framing it as a national security measure. This legislation targets individuals and organizations promoting LGBTQ+ rights, with penalties up to 10 years imprisonment, affecting at least 1.3 million LGBTQ+ citizens and allies. The law effectively weaponizes legal systems to suppress dissent and monitor vulnerable populations.

Lawmakers in Belarus have approved a bill introducing penalties for what authorities describe as the “promotion of homosexuality, gender transition, childlessness, and pedophilia”. The legislation passed the upper chamber of parliament on Thursday, after clea…