Russia: Implemented Law No. 478 prohibiting the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations

On 12 December 2022, the Bill prohibiting the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations or preferences among children and adults entered into force. The Bill prohibits propaganda on paedophilia and gender reassignment. Online platforms promoting this type of information would be blocked, whereas, on paid audiovisual services, the content would be available if the user can confirm their age. Advertising and films containing non-traditional sexual relations references would be banned. Fines for violating the non-traditional relations ban for citizens would be between RUB 50'000 to 400'000, RUB 100'000 to 800'000 for officials, and RUB 800'000 to 5 million or activity suspension (up to 90 days) for legal entities. Fines for violating the ban on promoting paedophilia range from RUB 200'000 to 800'000 for citizens, RUB 400'000 to 2 million for officials, and RUB 1 to 10 million or suspension of activities (up to 90 days) for legal entities. Finally, the fines for spreading information about gender change or non-traditional sexual relations would be between RUB 50'000 to 200'000 for citizens, RUB 100'000 to 400'000 thousand for officials, RUB 800'000 to 4 million or suspension of activities (up to 90 days) for legal entities. Stateless persons and foreign citizens would be expelled from the Russian Federation territory for committing such violations.