Moscow –
Russia’s lower house of parliament on Thursday quickly gave first approval to a bill banning “propaganda” that prevents people from having children. It is the latest in a number of restrictive laws as the Kremlin tightens its control over society amid the fighting in Ukraine.
The new bill will require two more readings in the Duma and scrutiny in the Senate before being sent to President Vladimir Putin for final approval, and the spread of information supporting voluntary child absence. is a crime, punishable by a fine of up to 5 million rubles (US $50,000).
Supporters of the bill argue that the public debate against having children is part of a purported Western effort to weaken Russia by promoting population decline.
“This is an element of professional propaganda, part of a hybrid war aimed at reducing the population,” said Elvira Heitklova, one of the drafters of the bill.
Ikulova declared that the bill aims to “cleanse the information space of destructive content” and “create a favorable information environment for our families.”
“This is strategic legislation for a strong, productive and healthy future,” he said before lawmakers unanimously passed preliminary approval for the bill.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said this was part of the authorities’ efforts to protect “traditional values.”
He dismissed warnings from critics of the bill that it would trample on freedom of expression, saying: “We are protecting our children, our families and our values.”
President Putin and his top officials have faced growing calls in recent years to adhere to so-called “traditional values.” As Russia’s population declines, President Putin has spoken out in favor of large families, encouraging women to have as many as eight children last year.
Since sending troops to Ukraine in February 2022, Kremlin leaders have repeatedly characterized the West as “satanic” and accused them of trying to weaken Russia by exporting liberal ideology. .
In 2022, President Putin signed a law banning the distribution of LGBTQ information to any age group, expanding a ban on distribution to minors enacted in 2013.
And last year, Russia’s Supreme Court outlawed the so-called “international LGBTQ movement” as extremist. Since then, some Russians have been briefly jailed or fined for displaying rainbow-themed content.
Last month, Russian lawmakers gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transition is legal.
