Current Affairs

Vladimir Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Oct 02 2013
Written by Scott Roberts

(Getty)

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize – despite presiding over a rolling back of LGBT and human rights in recent years.

On Wednesday, the International Academy of Spiritual Unity and Cooperation of Peoples of the World nominated President Putin for his efforts in preventing US military again against Syria.

The organisation is on the list of those approved to make Nobel Peace Prize nominations and according to Vice President Beslan Kobakhiya, a letter of recommendation was received by the committee on 16 September.

It stated: “Being the leader of one of the leading nations of the world, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin makes efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity not only on the territory of his own country but also actively promotes settlement of all conflicts arising on the planet.”

“Peace and tranquillity” are not words generally associated with President Putin’s approach to Russia’s LGBT community.

A federal bill banning gay “propaganda” was signed into law by Mr Putin in June.

It prescribes fines for providing information about homosexuality to people under the age of 18 – ranging from 4,000 roubles (£78) for an individual to 1m roubles (£19,620) for organisations.

Campaigners note that there has been an increase in violence and state persecution against LGBT people in Russia following the passing of the laws.

In September, Mr Putin insisted that the legislation only bans the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors,” and argued that there was “no infringement on the rights of sexual minorities.”

Mr Putin added that although some European countries have introduced same-sex marriage, “the Europeans are dying out… and gay marriages don’t produce children.”

Mr Putin also defended former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – and claimed his friend would not have been prosecuted for tax evasion if he had been gay.

“If he was homosexual no one would have lifted a finger,” Mr Putin said.

Having lead Russia for 13 years, critics of President Putin say he has pursued a violent campaign against the separatist movement in Chechnya, a war in Chechnya, the curtailing of democratic freedoms in Russian society, and the apparent approval of state brutality against his opponents.

Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk in August, Stephen Fry described the Russian leader as a “tyrant”.

The Russian city of Sochi is hosting next year’s Winter Olympics and Fry said that athletes taking part should perform a simple gesture to show their solidarity with the LGBT community.