BREAKING NEWS

Olympics-Russian activists ask IOC Bach to investigate gay law

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 1, 2013 00:35

PARIS - Gay rights activists on Saturday asked International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach to launch an independent investigation into the implications of Russian law during next year's Sochi Games, they said.

Bach met Russian activists during his two-day visit to Paris, IOC and gay rights organization All Out told Reuters.

"I can confirm a constructive meeting did take place," an IOC official said.

The activists, who had flown from Moscow after others failed to meet Bach in Sochi earlier this month, raised their concerns over the law passed in June that bans "gay propaganda" among minors.

The law has been denounced by critics and in the West as discriminatory and aimed at stifling dissent, prompting some calls for a boycott of the Games.

President Vladimir Putin, who has hoped to make the Games a showcase of modern Russia, last month said all people would be welcome in Sochi.

However, gay rights activists have reported a rise of violence toward their community and stressed on Saturday that the law was not compliant with the Olympic charter.

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