Under Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, independent voices, journalists, rights groups, and LGBTQ activists have been targeted and suppressed. The crackdown includes labeling media outlets as 'foreign agents,' outlawing rights groups, prosecuting lawyers, and banning LGBTQ activism.
Key Points
Independent press in Russia largely reduced to state-controlled or abroad-based outlets
Many rights groups and NGOs labeled 'foreign agents' or 'undesirable'
LGBTQ activism banned and LGBTQ individuals face discrimination
Crackdown on religious groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses