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NGO Says Moldova, Russia 'Worst In Europe' For Gay Rights


An activist is attacked during a gay pride parade that was unsanctioned by authorities in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2011.
An activist is attacked during a gay pride parade that was unsanctioned by authorities in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June 2011.
BRUSSELS -- Discrimination based on sexual orientation is still widespread in most countries in Eastern Europe, a new study by a Brussels-based NGO has concluded.

Moldova and Russia have the worst rankings of all 49 European countries, according to the ILGA Europe review, with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine following close behind.

The NGO's "rainbow map" also shows all Eastern countries lagging behind the West in terms of human rights standards for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex people.

Apart from the three Baltic States, only one of the former Soviet republic, Georgia, got a positive rating.
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