Following an overwhelming vote by Kyrgyz lawmakers in favor of a Russian-style ban on the promotion of positive attitudes towards so-called “non traditional sexual relations”, Pink News reports that the United Nations has urged the former Soviet Republic to abandon the discriminatory law:

Spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)Ravina Shamdasani said: “We call on the Kyrgyz Parliament and authorities to refrain from passing draft legislation that would embed in law discrimination against people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).”

She added: “The proposed law would also violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to liberty, security and physical integrity and to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. These rights are protected by human rights treaties ratified by Kyrgyzstan.”

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Ms Shamdasani’s statement highlights the concern expressed by the UN with regards to previous incidents of violence and discrimination against LGBT people in Kyrgyzstan. She said:

“The draft law adds to those concerns and may lead to further violations.”

Ms Shamdasani further pointed out that: “The adoption of this law would also go against the commitments made by Kyrgyzstan during its Universal Periodic Review in the UN Human Rights Council in 2010.”

The bill still needs to pass two more readings before lawmakers can send the bill to President Almazbek Atambayev for his signature. The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan has also condemned the law. 

Previously, we reported on accounts brought forth by Human Rights Watch of gay men being targeted and tortured by police in Kyrgyzstan.