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.
