The upcoming XXII Olympic Winter Games raises more and more questions. These questions had arisen long before Russia adopted laws banning “propaganda of non-traditional relationships” and concerned another political issues.
Sochi is situated in the exact region, from where 150 years ago the whole nation was banished – Circassians. The descendants of the survivors call it genocide and demand justice: it is well-known that the Olympic Games cannot be hosted in the areas of genocide actions, thus the organization "NoSochi2014", which include the activists from Germany, France, Belgium, the USA, Turkey, Jordan and Israel demand to prevent the lighting the Olympic flame at the crime scene.
A lot of issues also being raised by Russian position towards military conflicts in the Middle East, as well as information about the Russian North Caucasus militants being sent "to serve" in these regions. Not so long time ago, in the beginning of July Caucasian extremist underground for the first time in a while, issued a public statement: the Chechen Islamist militant leader Doku Umarov reported that the pause in the terrorist attacks in Russia now being canceled and he will make every effort to ensure that disrupt the Sochi Games, where Russia plans “to hold the Olympics on the bones of our ancestors, on the bones of many, many dead Muslims buried on the territory of our land on the Black Sea, and we mujahedeen are obliged not to permit that, using any methods allowed us by the almighty Allah”.
These events does not add value to the main sports event of the past four years, and all the described issues has already become the reason for that dear foreign visitors, who, according to the Russian authorities, are very much awaited in Sochi, to think twice before going to watch the Games. Many people has already announced that they are going to boycott the Sochi Olympics, or just will not go to Russia – a country that is not without a reason, is now being called a powder keg.
Regional and later the federal law banning "propaganda of homosexuality" added fuel to the flames and these flames – not the peaceful ones of the Olympics – now burn even harder.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has already made some timid statements on quite a bad situation after which “once again confirmed its commitment to the principles of non-discrimination in respect of those taking part in the Olympics”. We’re open organization, claimed IOC, and we’re open to athletes of any sexual orientation.
However, general concern was not enough. In response to the demands of human rights activists IOC issued another statement, admitting that Russian "innovative" laws interfere decent holding of the Olympic Games.
“The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation, – said the new statement of the Committee. – The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardise this principle. “
Despite of the statements, gay-activists ask a reasonable question: how to ensure safety in the country with homophobia being approved and sponsored by the State? There is no response from the IOC so far.
Potential participant of the Winter Games, New Zeland speed skater Blake Skjellerup, said he still plans to partake, and he will wear a rainbow pin while he does. Even if it means him being arrested and deported from the country according to Russian laws. In this way, the athlete wants to express his support to Russian LGBT community that has been slander and driven underground. “The Olympics are an apolitical movement, however the Olympics is also a celebration of humanity and all sexualities are a part of humanity. I think being in a country like Russia where they've decided to introduce these new laws basically saying telling children that homosexuals don't exist is a massive step backwards for the LGBT human rights movement for the world, not just for Russia. For me it’s less about taking a stand and more about just being myself…I have no interest in going back into the closet in Sochi…This is not about defiance. This is me standing up for what I believe in. If that gets me in trouble,” he said, “then, I guess, so be it.”
There is only 6 months left until the Games. Homophobic hysteria in Russia is being forced, violence against LGBT people is on the rise, as being claimed with no exception by all Russian and international human rights organizations. In the lights of this homophobic outrage, approved by the authorities, the demands of boycotting the Olympic Games are more and more powerful now.
One of the most famous USA political blogs, Аmericablog.com, wrote: “Anyone planning to attend the Sochi Olympics should be concerned about the message they’re sending the increasingly authoritarian neo-Soviet government in Moscow. And they might just not worry about whether they’re going to get their head bashed in as well.”
On the protest petitions site Change.org appeal was placed, addressed to companies Coca-Cola, VISA, Procter&Gamble, Samsung and Panasonic, who are the sponsors of the Olympics. They are being encouraged to pull sponsorship from the 2014 Winter Olympics and to take side of the human rights activists, since homophobia encouraged by the state cannot be associated with such large and well-known companies, who pursue a policy of non-discrimination in respect of its gay employees. “Tell Putin you do not support imprisoning and endangering the freedoms of gay athletes, fans, family, friends, and citizens!”, – said in the petition, which can be signed via this link >>>
Автор: www.upogau.org
