Ambassadors defy Kremlin criticism with new rainbow campaign

Updated June 28, 2020, 10:57 a.m.

Despite criticism from the Kremlin, western diplomats in Moscow have launched a new joint campaign to promote the rights of homosexuals and other minorities.

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According to the US embassy, ​​the British embassy was also in Moscow a rainbow flag to stand up for tolerance. The ambassadors for the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand called on the Russian government to protect LGBTI rights in a statement released on Saturday.

LGBTI stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex. The Kremlin had previously criticized raising a rainbow flag at the US embassy.

Dozens of arrests at vigils

In Moscow and St. Petersburg there were dozens of arrests at the vigil on Saturday for the LGBTI activist and artist Julia Zwetkowa, who was under house arrest. Because she made erotic drawings of women, she faces imprisonment for spreading pornography.

In total, there were more than 40 arrests, as reported by the Owd-Info portal including photo documentation.

US ambassador John Sullivan said in a video message with Russian translation in front of a rainbow flag about the diplomats’ action that this is about human rights.

“Human rights are universal.” The diplomat spoke out against hate, prejudice and persecution. A law prohibits so-called “homo-propaganda” in Russia. Accordingly, showing or talking about same-sex love is punishable in the presence of children.

Human rights activists criticize the law because hatred, agitation and violence in Russia have repeatedly had no consequences and sexual minorities have no protection. The Russian government has committed to protecting all of its citizens, the ambassador said. With their campaign, the diplomats commemorated the “Pride” movement in the USAthat started the fight for homosexual rights 50 years ago.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow said on Thursday after raising the rainbow flag at the US embassy: “In any case, any occurrence of the propagation of non-traditional sexual minorities and so on in our country is not permitted by law.” Russia has long been internationally criticized for inciting hatred of sexual minorities with its policies.
© dpa

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