Russia says drivers must not have ‘sex disorders’. Sex disorders, according to Russia, includes: Transsexuals, transgender people, fetishism, exhibitionism, and voyeurism. These people are classed as having “mental disorders” and as such are barred from driving.
The government say the reason behind the new rules are to curb road accidents due to the high number of road accidents in Russia.
BBC News reports:
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“Pathological” gambling and compulsive stealing are also on the list. Russian psychiatrists and human rights lawyers have condemned the move.
The announcement follows international complaints about Russian harassment of gay-rights activists.
In 2013 Russia made “promoting non-traditional lifestyles” illegal.
Valery Evtushenko at the Russian Psychiatric Association voiced concern about the driving restrictions, speaking to the BBC Russian Service. He said some people would avoid seeking psychiatric help, fearing a driving ban.
The Association of Russian Lawyers for Human Rights called the new law “discriminatory”. It said it would demand clarifications from the Russian Constitutional Court and seek support from international human rights organisations.
But the Professional Drivers Union supported the move. “We have too many deaths on the road, and I believe toughening medical requirements for applicants is fully justified,” said the union’s head Alexander Kotov.
