Winter Olympics: NZ Parliament passes motion supporting gay rights in Russia

Parliament in New Zealand has unanimously passed a motion in support of gay rights in Russia ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Green MP Jan Logie moved that “the House wish our athletes competing in the Winter Olympics in Sochi well, and note Russia’s recent passing of anti homosexual legislation, and ask the New Zealand Government to urge other governments and the Winter Olympics Organising Committee to protect the rights of all people in Russia regardless of their sexual orientation”.

Russia’s anti-gay legislation has drawn severe criticism from international leaders, athletes and rights activists ahead of the Games, which begin on February 7.

Afterwards Ms Logie said she was delighted that Parliament had agreed the motion, saying it may have been the first such motion passed by a national parliament.

Read more at nzherald.co.nz