Konstantin Golava
Far From Russia’s Biggest Cities, Being Gay Means Being Always Under Threat
Konstantin Golava is a human rights defender who works to promote LGBTI and environmental rights. In 2012 he joined the human rights movement “Avers”, which supports the LGBTI community in Russia through legal and psychological consultation. In January 2013, he founded the non-governmental organisation “Alternative to Conscription”, which provides advice and support on issues connected to military service, which is mandatory for Russian men between the ages of 18-27.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Russian Federation have been subjected to acts of harassment, surveillance, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, violent attacks, raids and searches on their offices and homes, slander and smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. Among those particlarly at risk are LGBTI rights defenders.
