Amsterdam’s mayor Eberhard van der Laan on Sunday called on the Dutch government to make an official complaint about Russia, for breaking human rights treaties with its new anti-gay law.

Van der Laan made the call during a rally and concert entitled ‘To Russia with Love’ on Amsterdam’s Museumplein. The event, attended by some 2,500 people, was called to protest at Russia’s new law which bans the distribution of information about homosexuality to the under-18s.

According to the Parool, the mayor said it would be possible to make a complaint to the European Court in Strasburg and judges could determine if Russia’s new legislation conflicts with human rights treaties.

400 years

Russia, the mayor told the rally, is the only country where human rights are being limited rather than expanded. Van der Laan, a lawyer by profession, said he had not been in touch with the cabinet about the idea. The foreign ministry did not comment on Sunday.

The rally took place ahead of a gala concert on the Museeumplein organised by Russia as part of the Netherlands-Russia year, which celebrates 400 years of ties between the two countries.

Van der Laan and other city councillors attended both events.