ADL calls for U.S. action to Russia's anti-gay bigotry and harassment
NEW YORK -- In response to a new national law in Russia prohibiting “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations,” and fallout from the law’s passage that has brought about an upsurge in violence targeting gays and lesbians, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on the United States to impose penalties if the Russian government does not “step backward on this issue of basic human rights.”
In a blog published today in The Huffington Post, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, likened the demonization of Russia’s LGBT community to that of Jews in the former Soviet Union, saying that “bold action” was necessary to protect the security and dignity of openly LGBT people living in Russia.
In welcoming President Barack Obama’s recent public criticism of the Russian law, Foxman said formal government action was also necessary and a logical next step. He called for the imposition of “a new Jackson-Vanik,” the 1974 legislation linking favorable trade status to the right of Soviet Jews to emigrate.
“It will take more than just words,” said Foxman, a longtime civil rights leader and veteran of the lobbying efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry. “We need a new Jackson-Vanik to convince Russia that steps backward on this issue of basic human rights will be met with strong repercussions from the United States .... Jackson-Vanik focused on one set of rights for one group, and yet it was one of this country’s most important and successful human rights initiatives.”
http://sdgln.com/news/2013/08/20/adl-calls-us-action-russia-antigay-bigotry-harassment
= new reply since forum marked as read
