The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) condemned Russia on Tuesday May 7 for the dismissal of a teacher due to photos published on social networks where she kissed other women. While Russia has been pursuing LGBTQIA+ activists and people for several years, this dismissal took place in 2014, before the deployment of the Russian repressive machine.
2 mins
The applicant, introduced by the initials AK and aged around 30, had been teaching music in a public school in Saint Petersburg for three years when she was summoned in 2014. She was then informed of the existence of a “ case » on his private life constituted by the non-governmental organization Parents of Russia.
This file, based on a search on social networks, notably included photos of her kissing other women and raising her middle finger in front of the camera.
The teacher was asked to resign on the grounds of “ its propaganda in favor of a non-traditional sexual orientation ”, which she refused.
“ Immoral acts »
She defended herself to school authorities by pointing out that no one had complained about her conduct before. But she was fired in December 2014 for “ immoral acts incompatible with the pursuit of teaching activities “.
She then grabbed the justice of his countrywithout winning his case and, as a last resort, filed an application in August 2016 before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The ECHR found her dismissal to be manifestly disproportionate and found that she had been the victim of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The ECHR indicated that there had been a violation of Articles 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Convictions
The Court orders Russia to pay it 6,500 euros for material damage, 10,000 euros for moral damage, and 6,000 euros for legal costs.
Seated in Strasbourg, the ECHR is the judicial arm of the Council of Europe, which brings together the 46 states recognizing the rights enshrined in the Convention. If Russia was one of them at the time of the complaint, it was excluded from the Council of Europe on March 16, 2022. The ECHR can still study Moscow’s responsibility for possible human rights abuses committed before September 16, 2022.
Read alsoRussia: Supreme Court bans “LGBT movement” for “extremism”