Russian Lawmaker: Russia Will Arrest Gay Athletes and Tourists at Olympic Games

The spineless International Olympic Committee has been trying to dodge having to take meaningful action - e.g., move the 2014 Winter Games to a new venue - in the face of Russia's horrific new anti-gay laws and attacks on LGBT individuals.  Part of this dodge and weave gambit has involved trying to rely on vague assurances that no gay athletes or tourists will be harassed or prosecuted.  Now, a Russian law maker, Vitaly Milonov, (pictured at right), is saying that such assurances are meaningless and that gay athletes and tourists WILL be arrested at the 2014 Games.  Here are details from Gay Star News:

A Russian lawmaker has said the ‘gay propaganda’ law will remain enforced during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.

Vitaly Milonov, co-sponsor of the ‘non-traditional relationships’ bill, said the government cannot decide when to selectively enforce the law.

It comes as the International Olympic Committee said the Russian government had ‘assured’ them all athletes and spectators will be safe from arrest.

‘If a law has been approved by the federal legislature and signed by the president, then the government has no right to suspend it. It doesn’t have the authority.’

Milonov was the deputy responsible for the law prohibiting ‘gay propaganda’ in St Petersburg, beginning the trend that led to the nationwide ban.

 

As I said, there is an easy fix: move the venue of the games if the laws are not repealed immediately.  Otherwise, the IOC will be acting no better than it did when it allowed the 1936 Summer Games to be held in Berlin.  Putin and Russia need to be humiliated and sent a message that the civilized world does not tolerate nations that breach their international agreements.

A Russian lawmaker has said the ‘gay propaganda’ law will remain enforced during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games in 2014.
Vitaly Milonov, co-sponsor of the ‘non-traditional relationships’ bill, said the government cannot decide when to selectively enforce the law.
It comes as the International Olympic Committee said the Russian government had ‘assured’ them all athletes and spectators will be safe from arrest.
- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-lawmaker-we-will-arrest-gay-athletes-tourists-olympic-games300713#sthash.IJsxs8VS.dpuf