A Coalition Seeks to End Human Rights Violations in Future Olympic Games

By Julie Inglese

Citing widespread dismay with Russia’s anti-gay laws, a coalition of more than 30 human rights and gay rights groups is calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ensure that future Olympic host countries do not have discriminatory laws on their books. 

“Countries with laws designed to discriminate against or attack the dignity or human rights of any individual or group ... should not be given the honor and privilege of hosting the Olympic [g]ames” asserted the coalition in a letter to the president of the IOC.

A spokesman for the IOC has responded to these pleadings by explaining that the current charter includes provisions that do not allow discrimination, according to the Associated Press. However, he concedes the proposed language could be considered at the upcoming IOC deliberation.

The coalition includes Amnesty International, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Campaign, PEN, All Out, Athlete Ally, and the Russian LGBT Network. You can read more at Human Rights Watch.

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