United Nations calls for international truce during Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics
The General Assembly of the United Nations has called for an international truce during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The assembly has also urged Moscow “to promote social inclusion without discrimination”, as Russia faces international outrage following the implementation of a law which bans homosexual “propaganda”, this year.
The measure was approved by the 193-strong assembly and calls for an end to fighting around the world from seven days before the Winter Olympics to seven days after the Paralympics ends in March.
The UN said that the resolution, which has been adopted by the assembly for the past 20 years, also goes further to call “upon host countries to promote social inclusion without discrimination of any kind”.
“Sport embraces all segments of society and is instrumental in empowering people with diverse backgrounds, while fostering tolerance and respect for all people no matter what they look like, where they come from, where they worship or whom they love,” US delegate Elizabeth Cousens told the United Nations.
In response, Sochi Olympic Organising Committee President Dmitry Chernyshenko, said: “It is not just nice words. It is real action. During the Games, we guarantee that there will be no discrimination whether by religious or sexual or gender distinction.”
“This is the first time that language of this kind appears in a resolution on the Olympic truce and it sends a powerful message highlighting the role that sport plays for all people,” Elizabeth Cousens, a deputy US ambassador, told the UN debate.
“This phrase emphasises the importance of inclusion and participation of all people in sporting activity regardless of identity, including persons of different sexual orientation and gender identities.”
