U.N. questions Russia's treatment of gays

A report from the United Nations Human Rights Committee shows that those who work in discord with Russian authorities, including gay and lesbian activists, are often driven underground or disbanded under threat of government violence.

The report highlights Russia's lack of progress in providing basic human rights, including fair trials, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Military sanctioned violence against journalists, activists, and prison inmates also plague the nation, the report shows.

The 18-member U.N. panel has called for reforms, citing "systematic discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation" among other offenses against human rights groups.

Although homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in the 1990s, the government continues to strike against GLBT activism. In February 2007, Mayor Yuri Luzhkov banned what was to be the first gay pride parade in Moscow. Luzhkov stated that homosexuality was unnatural and described same-sex love as "satanic."

More on gay life in Russia.