UN chief denounces homophobia, urges Olympic truce
Sochi, Russia - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon denounced attacks on gay people and called Thursday for warring parties around the world to cease hostilities during the winter Olympics in Sochi.
Addressing the International Olympics Committee (IOC), Ban called for respect for human rights and said the United Nations was committed "to build societies of equality and tolerance." Rights groups and Western politicians have criticised Russia for promoting homophobia with a law signed by President Vladimir Putin last year that bans "homosexual propaganda" among minors.
Without referring specifically to the law, Ban said: "Many professional athletes, gay and straight, are speaking out against prejudice.
"We must all raise our voices against attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people. We must oppose the arrests, imprisonments and discriminatory restrictions they face.
"I know that Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter enshrines the IOC's opposition to any form of discrimination."
Ban again called for warring parties around the world to uphold the traditional Olympic Truce, citing conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. He said a truce would enable life-saving humanitarian relief to reach conflict regions and create an opportunity for lasting peace.
