Queer Activists Meet With President Over Russia

Yesterday, queer rights organisation Samtökin 78 met with Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson to discuss how Icelandic authorities could pressure Russia into protecting the rights of homosexuals in the country.

During the meeting, the group furthermore spoke about the importance of encouraging Russian authorities to begin a formal investigation into the ongoing atrocities in Chechnya.

“We discussed the situation facing homosexuals around the world, especially in regards to Chechnya, where the group has been heavily persecuted,” the President said in a press release.

Jóhannesson also claimed that during a recent state visit to Russia, he, along with Foreign Minister Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarsson, had raised the issue of gay rights with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and that it was vital to protect those rights across the globe.

The Grapevine reported yesterday that Samtökin 78 had started a three day demonstration outside the Russian embassy, which will culminate in a large protest on May 5 at 16.