The Russian government is stopping certain groups of individuals from having a driving licence. It is an example of intolerance and prejudice.
This article was published in the Guardian Newspaper. It is clearly an attack on minority groups. How can being a transvestite affect your driving ability? It is nonsense. It is clearly an attack on groups who are different to the perceived norm. There is no medical or scientific basis for this action!
Russia is depriving minority groups of a driving licence under spurious regulations. It is appalling. I am neither a transvestite nor a transsexual but I can see that this is a violation of power.
You judge a society by how well it treats its minorities and weakest members. There should be a public outcry! This is disgusting.
This is an example of how tyrannical despots restrict human rights.
Moscow street: Various mental “disorders” are seen as a cause of road accidents
Russia has listed transsexual and transgender people among those who will no longer qualify for driving licences.
Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism are also included as “mental disorders” now barring people from driving.
The government says it is tightening medical controls for drivers because Russia has too many road accidents.
“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.
However, he said the requirements should not be so strict for non-professional drivers.
Mikhail Strakhov, a Russian psychiatric expert, told BBC Russian that the definition of “personality disorders” was too vague and some disorders would not affect a person’s ability to drive a car safely.