Concerns And Controversies At The 2014 Winter Olympics
There have been controversies and concerns affecting the 2014 Winter Olympics. The major disputes are with Circassians, who demand the events be cancelled or moved unless Russia apologies for the 19th century deaths that the Circassians regard to be a genocide, environmental and economic issues, lack of political stability and governance and the safety and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) athletes, supporters and journalists, in light of global protests of Russian anti-gay laws. A number of politicians have announced that they intend to boycott the Olympics in protest of Russia's human rights record.
Pride House and LGBT rights
Since the establishment of a Pride House at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, pavilions welcoming and celebrating LGBT athletes and communities have been established at major sporting events including the 2012 Summer Olympics and the UEFA Euro 2012, and future Pride Houses are planned.
An attempt to establish a Pride House at the 2014 Winter Olympics was struck down by the Ministry of Justice, which would not approve the registration of the NGO set up to organize the Pride House. The ban was upheld by Krasnodar Krai Judge Svetlana Mordovina on the basis of the Pride House inciting "propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation which can undermine the security of the Russian society and the state and provoke social-religious hatred, which is the feature of the extremist character of the activity".
Human Rights Watch noted the issue with the new Russian laws concerning homosexuality and called for the IOC to take into consideration the safety of any LGBT competitors. American and Russian Gay rights group RUSA LGBT contacted the IOC regarding their concerns, and petitioned sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa Inc., Panasonic, Samsung, and Procter & Gamble to boycott the games due to the Russian government's stance on homosexuality.
Amid calls from LGBT advocates for countries to boycott the Olympics, the IOC stated in August 2013 that it had "received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games";[8] this was contradicted in a statement three days later made by Russia's Ministry of the Interior, which stated that the anti-propaganda laws would still be enforced in Sochi.[9] The IOC also confirmed that it would enforce Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which forbids political protest, against athletes who make displays of support for the LGBT community.
The IOC received written assurance from the Russian government in August 2013 stating that it is committed to abiding by the Olympic Charter during the Olympic Games.
More than 50 Olympians (mainly from US, Canada and Australia, and also Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden) called on the Russian authorities to repeal introduced anti-gay laws in the end of January 2014. They criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and sponsors for not doing more to human rights. Also the Human rights organisations hope Russia to correct this before the start of the games, if starting.
Human rights
On 30 January 2014, nine Amnesty International European directors delivered the petition in Moscow to the offices of Russian President Vladimir Putin calling on him to repeal a series of laws restricting the right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of association in the run up to the Sochi Winter Olympics.
According to Amnesty the Amnesty Law is no substitute for effective justice system. Amnesty demanded the Russian authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all prisoners of conscience (POCs). The Russian parliament passed an amnesty bill that freed the imprisoned Pussy Riot singers, the foreign activists amongst Greenpeace’s “Arctic 30” and the 2012 Bolotnaya Square protest.
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly presented the IOC detailed evidence of documented human rights abuses linked to Russia's preparations for the 2014 Winter Games since 2009. Human Rights Watch have exploitation of construction workers, evictions of residents without fair compensation, harassment of activists and journalists critical of the Games, as well as Russia's discriminatory anti-LGBT propaganda law.
Not before late 2013 the Russian government and IOC covered $8.34 million in wage arrears.
Human Rights Watch published the Reporters’ Guide For Covering the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.[
Environment
Despite several expert statements that the construction of Olympic venues in the buffer area of the UNESCO protected Caucasus Biosphere Reserve and Sochi National Park could be harmful, the IOC approved the plans. Greenpeace of Russia said that the IOC and the Russian Government assume all responsibility for any damage to the West Caucasus natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the Sochi bid, a wide array of construction is planned in the Grushevyi Ridge area. They include a cascade of hydroelectric power stations on the Mzymta River, sewage treatment facilities, a high-speed rail link, a Mountain Olympic Village, a track for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton (which was relocated in May 2009), and a biathlon venue. Alpine skiing venues are being constructed in the Rosa Khutor plateau and the Psekhako Ridge area. Environmentalists propose building up Krasnaya Polyana instead of destroying nature reserve sites.
Environmentalists also oppose the plan of construction of a cargo terminal for ships in the mouth of the Psou River in the Imereti Lowland, because this could lead to the destruction of the largest areas of sea-flooded shore and marshes.
On 3 July 2008, Vladimir Putin directed some of the Olympic venues, such as the luge and bobsleigh track, to be relocated (the Russian National Sliding Centre was relocated in May 2009). He said "In setting our priorities and choosing between money and the environment, we're choosing the environment."
Geologist Dr Sergei Volkov has fled to Ukraine after speaking out about environmental and geological problems. He states that mercury and uranium deposits, as well as the probability of landslides, make the location of the games hazardous. He also argues that the location of a cargo port was inappropriate. A storm there killed three seamen and destroyed $14 million of infrastructure.
On 29 October 2013 it was reported that Russia broke its 'Zero Waste' Olympic Pledge, as it emerged that Russia's state-owned rail monopoly is dumping tons of construction waste into an illegal landfill, raising concerns of possible contamination in the water that directly supplies Sochi.
Journalists Under Fire
Assassination
30 journalists, including Anna Politkovskaïa*, were killed in Russia since 2000 because of their work. In most cases, investigations are at a standstill. Murderers and accomplices remain unpunished.
*Politkovskaya, who was well known in both Russia and abroad for her outspoken coverage of the Caucasus and her criticism of the Kremlin, was gunned down in her Lesnaya Street apartment building in Moscow on 7 October 2006.
Ever since Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency last May, the government has had a spate of repressive laws passed in order to prevent the growth of more freedom of information.
Imprisonment
In Russia, performing one’s job as a journalist can sometimes lead directly to prison. A photographer and a reporter were released mid-November after two months in detention having reported the Greenpeace actions. The independent journalist Nikolai Iarst has been in house arrest in Sochi since May after an unfair investigation. He is facing up to 10 years in prison.
Threats
Bloggers, journalists, environmental activists and human rights defenders are regularly monitored, harassed and threatened. Outside of Moscow, to inform freely request personnel and Financial commitment on the top of Professional ethics.
Censorship
Since May 2012, when Vladimir Putin returned to power as President, the regime is using new repressive laws to suppress the growing knowledge of civil society. Pretending « to protect children » and « to moralize society », the regime is restricting freedom of information : a ban on blashphemy and « homosexual propaganda », criminalization of defamation, implementation of a list of blocked websites… Using as many tools available to put media under a permanent sword of Damocles. With the Olympic Games approaching, censorship is only increasing…
Pressure
Economic strangulation of independent media, legal proceedings against opposition newspapers, manipulation of the advertisements from market and public subsidies… the unfair match between independent news media and political potentates is on. Until the disappearance of independent journalism ?
Killing of stray dogs
A PEST control company which has been killing stray dogs in Sochi for years says it has a contract to exterminate more of the animals throughout the Olympics.
Alexei Sorokin, director general of pest control firm Basya Services, said his company is involved in what he described as the "catching and disposing" of dogs. Mr Sorokin refused to specify whether they shoot or poison dogs or say where they take the carcasses.
Thousands of stray dogs are roaming the streets of Sochi, Mr Sorokin said, and some of them are "biting children".
Mr Sorokin said he attended a rehearsal of the Olympic opening ceremony last week and saw a stray dog walking in on the performers.
"A dog ran into the Fisht Stadium, we took it away," he said. "God forbid something like this happens at the actual opening ceremony. This will be a disgrace for the whole country."
Circassians
Circassian organisations have also spoken out against the Olympics, arguing that the Games will take place on land that had been inhabited by them since the beginning of recorded history by their ancestors until 1864, when the resolution of the Russian-Circassian War was stated to have caused the disappearance (variously by death or deportation) of 1.5 million Circassians, or 90%-94% of the Circassian nation. They are demanding the Sochi 2014 Olympics be cancelled or moved unless Russia apologises for what the Circassians regard to be a genocide.[1] Some Circassian groups have not expressed outright opposition to the Olympics but argue that symbols of Circassian history and culture should be included in the format, as Australia, the United States, and Canada did with their indigenous populations in 2000, 2002, and 2010 respectively.
The games are viewed to be particularly offensive because they include the date of the 150th anniversary of what they consider a genocide. It has thus been a rallying cry for Circassian nationalists.
In particular, there is much ire over the use of a hill called "Red Hill".[38] In 1864, a group of Circassians apparently tried to return home but were attacked and a battle ensued, ending in their massacre, and attaining the name "Red Hill" (for the blood spilt). There will be skiing and snowboarding on this hill.
Become a Community Contributor.
