Accessibility links

Breaking News

Activists Demand IOC Probe Of Russian Anti-Gay Law


The head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) met with Russian gay rights activists in Paris on November 30.

The activists urged Thomas Bach to launch an investigation into a Russian law banning "gay propaganda" among minors.

The law, passed in June, has been denounced by critics and in the West as discriminatory, prompting some calls for a boycott of the next year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

International gay rights group AllOut said, "A list of precise questions about the implication of the antigay laws, to help frame the investigation, were submitted and received by the IOC president."

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said all people would be welcome in Sochi.

The IOC has said Moscow has assured that athletes and spectators will not face discrimination at the Winter Games next February.


Based on AP and Reuters reporting

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG