MOSCOW: New Russian road safety regulations bar transsexuals, transvestites and others with sexual “disorders” from driving, ostensibly for medical reasons.

The new regulations have been criticized by rights activists, who see them as unconstitutional and likely to exacerbate an already hostile climate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Russia.

“The new Russian rules banning people from driving because of their gender identity are ridiculous and unlawful,” Nils Muiznieks, human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe, said in a message posted Friday on Facebook.

He urged Russia “to immediately amend the rules to remove this ban. “

The government resolution, dated Dec 29 and signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, lists numerous medical conditions, including “mental and behavioral disorders” defined by the World Health Organization,

that the government believes disqualify a person for a driving license. The resolution does not claim WHO endorsement for the new driving restrictions.