IOC warns Russia after anti-gay law

June 29, 2013- A gay rights activist is seen after clashes with anti-gay demonstrators during a gay pride event in St. Petersburg. Russian police arrested dozens of people on Saturday after clashes erupted in the city of Saint Petersburg between pro- and anti-gay demonstrators.

In response to pleas from human rights groups, the International Olympic Committee released a statement acknowledging the passage of anti-gay laws in Russia and calling for the acceptance of all athletes.

"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," the statement said. "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 jeopardize this principle.”

The winter Olympic games, which are set to take place in Sochi, Russia in 2014, has been the topic of much contention since the Kremlin passed a law last month prohibiting the distribution of “homosexual propaganda” to minors.

It is now illegal to even admit homosexuality in public. It is also illegal to equate the value of homosexual relationships with that of heterosexual relationships, and punishment does not apply solely to Russians.

Foreigners can be arrested and detained for up to 15 days, fined and deported.

Human rights and LGBT groups are now calling for a boycott of the Winter Olympics, set to take place in February.

Source: Global Post