Is Russia the land that time forgot?

 

I am the first to admit that I know little of Russian culture or history, but there has been several alarming stories coming out of the country in recent weeks.

In June this year, a law was passed by President Vladimir Putin banning propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to miners. In addition there has been a catalogue of attacks on the rights of gay people, including a court decision that attempting to confront homophobia was extremist as it “incited social and religious hatred”. The court went on to comment that such extremist activities present a threat to Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The year before Putin was elected in 2012 the European court of Human Rights fined Russia for violating several articles of the European convention by banning over 160 pride events and marches between 2006 and 2008.

Former KGB officer Putin has done little to improve the rights of Russia’s LGBT community. The law has been interpreted as a tool to ban parades and marches as well as preventing discussions of homosexuality among teenagers. Since the anti-gay propaganda law was passed in June there has been an increase in violent attacks on homosexual’s and even suspected homosexuals.

One would imagine that such outdated ignorance would be condemned by the modern world, but two USA conservatives had defended the attacks. Brian Camenke, an activist for MassResistance,  who appear to be essentially an anti-gay movement in the USA is quoted as saying on the Harvey this weekend show, “the natural way for people to react to homosexuality- outside of the diversity training – is a degree of revulsion, so if two men start kissing in public you can expect a certain reaction from people”.

The show’s host Linda Harvey, defended the law as logical and claimed it was intended to protect children.

The MassResistance website currently carries article entitled “homo fascism- attacks against churches, citizens and business” and “the infamous fist gate report-we broke the news”. There is also a large banner at the foot of the home page saying “say no to same sex marriage”.

It is the mindless, ignorant bile that websites and movements like these that are a blight on this world, not homosexual people. There should be laws passed banning people like Camenker from spouting such hatred on television. It is he and his friend that are inciting social hatred.

It is the integrity of Russia, America and any other nation that shares their views that is at risk.

Russia, who are set to host the 2018 football world cup, has an equally dismal record when it comes to fighting racism. Manchester City player Yaya Toure claims he faced racial abuse this week at CSKA, a claim the Russians deny despite Greek far-right party, Golden Dawn banners being displayed at several football grounds in Russia recently.

Despite the cold war ending years ago, it seems Putin’s Russia is frozen in time, offering no resistance to racism and homophobia and signing policies that should have been outlawed in the ice age.