In Belarus, the display of “non-traditional relationships” is equated with pornography

Corresponding amendments to the instruction regulating the “release, circulation, display, rental, sale and advertising of erotic products” have been published on the National Legal Information Portal.

Belarusian officials have thus criminalized the display of homosexual and bisexual relationships, offering to treat them alongside “unnatural scenes of intercourse and sexual debauchery”.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture has provided its formulation for “non-traditional relationships”, placing homosexuality and transsexuality on the same level as zoophilia, necrophilia, sadism, exhibitionism and group sex.

The Ministry has also provided its own definition of pedophilia. According to Belarusian officials, these are “non-traditional sexual relations between people, one of whom has not reached the age of 18”.

True, the age of sexual maturity in Belarus is 16 years.

The distribution of pornography is prohibited in Belarus and is punishable by up to four years in prison.

The renewed instruction of the Ministry of Culture on the distribution of erotic products will enter into force on Friday.