Norwegian celebrities clearly states: Witch Hunt and harassment of minorities do not belong in the Olympics. – A clear expectation from the Norwegian people, sports politicians and Norwegian authorities to the Sochi, says initiator National Association for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LLH).
Supporters of gays
Only days before the Games kicks off in Olympic city Sochi has a number of Norwegian athlete celebrities, musicians and cultural figures made themselves supporters of Russia’s gays. Among those who require Olympics kept free of discrimination actor Sven Nordin, comedian Knut Nærum, Linn Skåber and Anne-Kat Hærland, handball girls and the lesbian couple Anja and Gro Hammerseng-Edin and the brothers of the musician duo Circus Eliassen.
Want to contribute
The organization behind the campaign , LLH , started the initiative in solidarity with gay activists and human rights activists in the neighbouring country. – After several attempts to Norwegian sports politicians and the Norwegian Olympic Committee to talk human rights issue without results , we proposed the leading figures among the Norwegian people . , Says leader Bård Nylund . – The response to the proposal has been overwhelming . Support The answer is not only yes , many also carried on a desire to help .
Witch hunt on gays
The so-called anti – propaganda laws in Russia prohibits positive and neutral mention of homosexuality . It makes it impossible for gays to be themselves . Hardest it hit youngsters.
The consequence is a dangerous attitude change in Russia that weaken the legal protection of a vulnerable group of victims of violence and discrimination. – Yesterday we received notice from our Russian colleagues that a 9th grader is convicted of propaganda law and deprived of their parents just because she told her classmates about their orientation , said a shaken Nylund .
Greetings to sports celebrities
– The campaign has been named six principles for the Olympic Charter sixth principle states that all forms of discrimination are incompatible with the Olympic Movement .
– The Norwegian Olympic Committee refers always to the Olympic Charter when they refuse from responding to human rights violations, says Nylund . He believes the Olympic committee has forgotten one of the most important value : anti – discrimination. – We ask simply that the Olympic Committee adheres to its own principles .
Photo by LLH
Photo Caption : Anastasia Smirnova, coordinator for Coalition of the Russian LGBT-organizations and Bård Nylund, leader of LLH.
