Obama to Russian Rights Activists: Work Is 'Critically Important'

[William769]

President Obama today complimented the work of Russian LGBT and other human rights activists when he met with a group in St. Petersburg, saying their efforts are “critically important.”

“I’m very proud of their work,” he said, according to a White House press pool report. “Part of good government is making sure we’re creating a space for civil society.” He also noted he has much in common with the activists. “I got my start as a community organizer, somebody who was working in what would be called an NGO in the international community,” he said. “I got elected president by engaging people at a grassroots level.”

Obama is in St. Petersburg for the G20 summit, a meeting of leaders from major nations around the world to discuss economic and other matters. The summit’s location has drawn attention to Russia’s recently enacted “gay propaganda” law, banning positive discussion of LGBT rights and identities in any venue that might be accessible to minors. The national law was passed this summer, after some Russian cities, including St. Petersburg, adopted local versions.

Those meeting with Obama were Igor Kochetkov, director of the LGBT Network; Pavel Chikov, chair of the Agora Association; Yana Yakovleva, founder of Business Solidarity; Yelena Milashina, an investigative journalist with Novaya Gazeta; Yevgenia Chirikova, director of the Movement to Defend Khimki Forest; Ivan Pavlov, head of the Institute for the Freedom of Information; Boris Pustyntsev, head of Citizens Watch; Olga Lenkova of Coming Out; and Dmitry Makarov of the Coordinating Council of the International Youth Human Rights Movement.

http://www.advocate.com/politics/2013/09/06/obama-russian-rights-activists-work-critically-important