Twelve U.S. Senators including Barbara Boxer, Chris Murphy, Jeff Merkley, Dick Durbin, Lisa Murkowski, Jeanne Shaheen, Sheldon Whitehouse, Claire McCaskill, Al Franken, Elizabeth Warren, Chris Coons, and Mark Udall have written to IOC President Thomas Bach asking the IOC to reconsider its position with the Russian government with regard to anti-gay laws and the upcoming Sochi Games.
Write the Senators:
...we write to express our deep concern about the IOC’s
recent declaration that “as long as the Olympic Charter is upheld, we
are fully satisfied.” We disagree with this position, and strongly urge
you to reconsider given that the Russian law banning “homosexual
propaganda” is clearly inconsistent with the Olympic Charter.
They also demand more details on enforcement of the laws and what Russia has told the IOC:
1. Have you received official confirmation from the Russian Federation
regarding how the law will be enforced—if at all—during the Winter
Olympic and Paralympic Games. For example, will self-identification as
an LGBT individual, including via news or social media, be permitted by
Russian Federation authorities during these Games? Are you aware of any
actions by LGBT individuals or supporters that would put them at risk of
prosecution under the discriminatory law by Russian Federation
authorities?
2. Will spectators and participants enjoy protection from prosecution under the discriminatory law if they leave the Olympic village host city, including during travel to or from the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi?
3. What concrete assurances will visitors and athletes have that local law enforcement outside of Sochi will not be permitted to enforce the anti-LGBT law with respect to foreign nationals?
The IOC has a responsibility to ensure that the values of Olympism are upheld and, as the Olympic Charter states, “act against any form of discrimination” —including equal rights for LGBT individuals. This is not an issue of politics; it is an issue of fundamental human rights.
2. Will spectators and participants enjoy protection from prosecution under the discriminatory law if they leave the Olympic village host city, including during travel to or from the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi?
3. What concrete assurances will visitors and athletes have that local law enforcement outside of Sochi will not be permitted to enforce the anti-LGBT law with respect to foreign nationals?
The IOC has a responsibility to ensure that the values of Olympism are upheld and, as the Olympic Charter states, “act against any form of discrimination” —including equal rights for LGBT individuals. This is not an issue of politics; it is an issue of fundamental human rights.
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