Russian
president vows no discrimination but says gay people must observe law banning
'homosexual propaganda'
The Guardian, Shaun Walker in Moscow, Friday 17 January 2014
Russian president Vladimir Putin poses with volunteers after arriving in Sochi to inspect preparations for the Winter Olympics. Photograph: Sasha Mordovets/Getty |
Vladimir
Putin has said that gay people will be not be subjected to harassment at the
Winter Olympics in Sochi, as long as they stay away from children.
Putin is
currently in Sochi reviewing preparations for the Games, which begin in three
weeks. During a meeting with some of the thousands of volunteers who will work
during the Olympics, he was asked why their uniforms were rainbow coloured,
given the recent Kremlin anti-gay initiatives.
"We do
not have a ban on non-traditional sexual relationships," said Putin in
comments reported by Russian agencies. "We have a ban on the propaganda of
homosexuality and paedophilia. I want to underline this. Propaganda among
children. These are absolutely different things – a ban on something or a ban
on the propaganda of that thing."
Putin also
added that Russia was more liberal than some other countries, claiming that in
certain US states homosexuality was still punishable by law.
"We
are not forbidding anything and nobody is being grabbed off the street, and
there is no punishment for such kinds of relations," said Putin. "You
can feel relaxed and calm [in Russia], but leave children alone please,"
said Putin.
Since the
law on "homosexual propaganda" came into force last year, Russia's
gay community has reported an upturn in homophobic violence and threats. Gay rights rallies are also banned in Russia, and there has been much discussion
over whether athletes or spectators displaying rainbow flags or gay rights
placards could be arrested during the Olympics.
Earlier
this week, Putin said the Games would be held "without discrimination on
any grounds". But he added on Friday that Russia was a traditional
country, and refused to accept European values on sexual orientation, claiming
that some countries were even discussing the legalisation of paedophilia. He
declined to specify which countries, saying it was easy to find out about such
things on the internet.
Putin said:
"What, are we supposed to follow along like obedient lapdogs, towards
whatever consequences await? We have our own traditions, our own culture. We
have respect for all of our international partners and ask that they also
respect our own traditions and culture."
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