From the MT:
“Russian Lawmakers Pass Bill
Banning ‘Childfree Propaganda’”
Russian lawmakers on Tuesday
passed a controversial bill outlawing so-called “childfree propaganda,” as
authorities ramp up efforts to both increase birth rates and promote
“traditional values” among families. Deputies in Russia’s lower-house State
Duma voted unanimously in favor of the bill, which prohibits the public
dissemination of materials, including films and media, that appear to promote
“rejecting childbearing.” “Without children, there will be no country,” State
Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, a member of the ruling United Russia party,
told deputies ahead of the vote.
As Russia faces an aging
population, low birth rates and rising mortality due to the war in Ukraine,
authorities are pushing for more measures to combat a demographic decline that
threatens economic growth. At the same time, authorities have intensified efforts
to promote “traditional values” and family-centric ideals.
The new legislation imposes fines
of up to 400,000 rubles ($4,129) for individuals and up to 5 million rubles
($51,611) for organizations found guilty of spreading “childfree propaganda”
across online platforms, media, films and advertisements.
An exemption secured by Russia’s
Orthodox Church permits information on monasticism and the vow of celibacy, and
the bill does not penalize individuals for personal decisions about
childbearing. Critics argue that the “childfree propaganda” ban fails to
address the root issues behind the country’s flagging birth rates. Legal
experts also warn that the vague language in the bill could lead to abuses and
restrictions on educating teenagers about contraception and reproductive
health. The “childfree propaganda” bill now awaits approval from the upper
house of parliament on Nov. 20 before it is sent to President Vladimir Putin
for signing into law. The legislation amends existing restrictions on content
deemed to promote LGBTQ+ relationships or gender transition. Meanwhile,
lawmakers in the State Duma passed a separate bill Tuesday prohibiting the
adoption of Russian children by residents of countries where gender
reassignment is legally permitted.
^ Everything is banned in Russia.
^
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