Transsexual and transgender people have reportedly been banned by the Russian government from qualifying for a driving license in a bid to decrease the number of road accidents across the nation.
Russia has introduced a new set of medical regulations which will decide whether or not a person is capable of holding a license in the country, BBC News reported. But deeming the change as an "alarming violation of the rights of the transgender community," the decision has sparked outrage among human rights advocates.
"Banning people from driving based on their gender identity or expression is ridiculous and just another example of the Russian regime's methodical roll-back of basic human rights for its citizens," lawyer Shawn Gaylord said.
According to the new legislative document's medical controls, the change will include people with "disorders of sexual preference" such as "transsexualism" and "dual-role transvestism."
Apart from physical disorders, fetishism, exhibitionism, sadomasochism and voyeurism are also included as "mental disorders" that would prevent someone from obtaining a driving license, The Irish Times reported. "Pathological" gambling and compulsive stealing are also on the list.
The new changes, which were introduced by the Russian Health Ministry last month, could discourage people from seeking psychiatric help for fear of receiving a driving ban, Valery Evtushenko of the Russian Psychiatric Association told BBC Russian Service.
In addition, the Association of Russian Lawyers for Human Rights called the new law "discriminatory," stating that it would demand clarifications from the Russian Constitutional Court and seek support from international human rights organizations.
But the change managed to receive some support from the Professional Drivers Union. "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, the requirements should not be so strict for non-professional drivers, he added.
Meanwhile, the announcement comes amid international complaints about Russian harassment of gay-rights activists, according to Business Standard.
Since introducing a controversial law in 2013 which made the promotion of "non-traditional lifestyles" illegal, Russia has been under increased scrutiny for discriminating against its LGBT community.
