Dutch say Russian gay rights violation may warrant
asylum
The Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans wrote a letter
to the Parliament stating that the violation of gay rights in Russia could be
grounds for asylum in the Netherlands.
In his letter Timmermans claimed that the law negatively
affects gay people and contributes to a climate of homophobia., adding that
inhumane treatment or violation of the fundamental rights of the LGBT community
could be grounds for asylum.
The recent detention of Greenpeace activists in Russia,
including two Dutch, and the impounding of their Netherlands-registered vessel,
are among the issues that have created tension between the two countries, as
well as a series of incidents involving senior diplomats from each country who
were beaten in their respective homes.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte assured that relations with
President Putin and Russia are strong and have not been damaged.
An official state visit to mark 400 years of diplomatic ties
is expected between Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and President
Putin on November 9.
The Russian anti-gay law has been criticized before the 2014
Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. During a recent visit to Amsterdam, Putin
encountered activists holding a banner saying: “Putin, Go Home.”
Analysis
The Netherlands is a liberal country that openly supports
human rights. The controversy around the Russian anti-gay law has reached high
levels of attention, and has triggered official statements about granting
asylum to the LGBT community.
The Sochi games are giving international visibility to a
political issue that has made the anti-gay law a matter of international
debate. The Olympic games are no longer a matter of international sports
competition, but also a forum for the rights of those who support alternative
lifestyles.
Countries like the Netherlands are going public with their
views about the Russian anti-gay law and this may damage their diplomatic
relations with Russia.
President Putin’s popularity is being impacted beyond
Russia, and with an international event taking place soon in his own country,
it is hard to predict how much damage
this will cause to his image there.
Rosa Flores
11/14/13
10:19 PM
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