Mr. President,
Akahata makes this statement on behalf of SWAN and the Sexual Rights Initiative.
We welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report emphasizing the trend to weaponize freedom of expression against marginalized groups.
Across the CEECA region, governments are increasingly restricting expression through vague provisions on child protection, public morality, traditional values, and extremism, which disproportionately affects excluded and stigmatized communities, including sex workers, women, and LGBT persons.
In Russia, the designation of the “international LGBT movement” as extremist and restrictions on “childfree propaganda” expanded censorship, repressions, and curtailed public discussion of identity, family life, and reproductive autonomy. Belarus has adopted restrictions on propaganda of same-sex relationships, gender diversity, and childlessness. Kazakhstan has introduced restrictions on the dissemination of information on so-called non-traditional sexual orientation. In Hungary, child-protection legislation continues to be used to restrict public expression relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Activists and citizens self-censor, reduce advocacy, and withdraw from public debate out of fear of harassment and reprisals, hence, the voices of marginalized communities are excluded from public discourse and decision-making, undermining democratic participation and pluralism.
Thank you.