**Russia Expands Asylum Grounds to Include Protection from Russophobia and Unconventional Family Values**
In a move that has raised eyebrows among human rights advocates, Russia is reportedly planning to expand its asylum policy to include protection for individuals who fear persecution due to their family values or Russophobia. According to sources, the bill proposes adding these grounds to the existing list of reasons for granting temporary asylum.
Under current law, asylum is granted to those eligible for refugee status or on humanitarian grounds. However, the new bill seeks to broaden this definition by incorporating “traditional family values and the primacy of family-based child-rearing” as a legitimate reason for seeking protection. This move appears to be part of Russia’s efforts to reinforce its image as a champion of conservative values.
Russia has been at the forefront of suppressing LGBTQ rights in recent years, using the pretext of upholding traditional values. President Vladimir Putin’s decree last summer allowed foreigners and stateless persons to apply for temporary residence on “moral grounds,” further solidifying this narrative. By emphasizing family values and religiosity, Moscow is attempting to position itself as an ideological ally of Western conservatives, including supporters of US President Donald Trump.
Moreover, Russia has consistently used the term “Russophobia” to deflect criticism of its policies and portray any dissent as unfair hatred towards the Russian people. This tactic is part of a broader effort to create a culture of victimhood and justify crackdowns on civil liberties.
The proposed bill introduces four categories of protection: refugee status, temporary asylum, political asylum, and temporary protection. However, it’s worth noting that applications for protection cannot be submitted from outside Russia or electronically, making the process more cumbersome for those seeking refuge. Furthermore, the government will not provide refugee housing from its temporary settlement fund.
**Contextualizing the Move**
Russia’s actions on this front are part of a larger effort to rebrand itself as an upholder of traditional values and counterbalance Western liberal democracies’ emphasis on diversity and inclusivity. The move should be viewed in the context of Russia’s ongoing crackdowns on civil liberties, including its treatment of LGBTQ individuals.
“This is just another example of how Russia is using propaganda to shape public opinion and distract from its own human rights abuses,” said Kateryna Denisova, News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. “By framing Russophobia as a legitimate reason for seeking asylum, Moscow is essentially turning criticism of its policies into a personal attack.”
**What Does This Mean?**
The implications of this move are far-reaching and should be taken seriously by human rights advocates worldwide. By expanding asylum grounds to include protection from Russophobia and unconventional family values, Russia is effectively using fear and intimidation as tools for silencing dissent.
As Kateryna Denisova points out, “This is a worrying trend that needs to be monitored closely. We must not let Russia’s propaganda efforts cloud our judgment on what is truly happening in the country.”
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
