Despite criticism from the Kremlin, western diplomats in Moscow have launched a new joint campaign to promote the rights of homosexuals and other minorities. According to the US embassy, the British embassy in Moscow also raised 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.
US Ambassador John Sullivan said in a video message with Russian translation in front of a rainbow flag 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 hate, agitation and violence have had no consequences and sexual minorities are not protected in Russia. The Russian government has committed to protecting all of its citizens, the ambassador said. The authorities of many countries would often look away when hate crimes were committed, they criticized. With their campaign, the diplomats commemorated the “Pride” movement in the United States, which began 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.” He expressed hope that the Russian State Department would take care of the US Embassy. Russia’s leadership has long been internationally criticized for fueling hatred of sexual minorities through its policies.
Quelle: What / Dpa
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