Human Rights Watch Releases Disturbing Video Of LGBT Russians Beaten By Anti-Gay Vigilantes
by Will Kohler
Human
Rights Watch has released a disturbing video detailing many of the
violent criminal exploits of Russian citizens and anti-gay vigilante
groups who's hate has become empowered by Russia's recent passage of
anti-gay laws.
As
the host to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, which begin on February 7,
2014, in Sochi, Russia should act in accordance with the principle of
nondiscrimination, a core provision of the Olympic Charter. As a member
of the Council of Europe, and party to multiple human rights treaties,
it should meet its obligations to provide equal respect and protection
for LGBT people.
“The Russian authorities have the power to protect the rights of LGBT people, but instead they are ignoring their responsibility to do so,” said Tanya Cooper, Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “By turning a blind eye to hateful homophobic rhetoric and violence, Russian authorities are sending a dangerous message as the world is about to arrive on its doorstep for the Olympics that there is nothing wrong with attacks on gay people.”
Absolutely horrible.
WARNING: The
video below contains graphic images and may be upsetting. It should
also be seen by every American Olympic athlete who is going to Sochi
thinking that their medals and competing in the Olympics is more
important than human lives.
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