[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S943-S944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THE SOCHI OLYMPICS

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, as we speak, the 22nd Winter Olympics are 
well under way in Sochi, Russia.
  Let me first congratulate the organizers on a fantastic opening 
ceremony. It really was something to see the depth and breadth of 
Russia's rich history and culture on display for the entire world to 
admire.
  The Olympics put a powerful spotlight on Russia--a spotlight Russia's 
president has so vigorously sought. But just as this attention is 
educating the world about Russia's invaluable contributions to music, 
science, and sport, it is also highlighting the gaps between Russia's 
previous commitment to fundamental freedoms and the reality on the 
ground.
  There is no question that in recent years we have seen Russia move 
towards a less open, less pluralistic society. But we cannot lose hope 
yet. Change is possible and Russia's beleaguered but tenacious civil 
society offers much hope for the future. We continue to expect Russia's 
leadership to uphold basic and universal human rights. Now there are 
other countries where the situation is much worse, but Russia is a 
powerful global example and should be committed to upholding 
fundamental freedoms much like Germany or the United Kingdom, its 
European neighbors. But unlike those governments, Russia's current 
leadership wantonly violates international commitments and seems bent 
on trying to redefine a settled consensus on the universality of human 
rights. We cannot let that go unchallenged.
  Much has been said about Russia's 2013 law prohibiting so-called gay 
propaganda. Some have pointed to the fact

[[Page S944]]

that this law enjoys widespread public support while others have 
faintly condemned it and worried that Western pressure could be 
counterproductive. Let's stop negotiating with ourselves here and tell 
it like it is. And it is really quite simple: this law infringes on the 
rights to free speech, association, and assembly. These rights are not 
American rights, they are human rights, and they are universally shared 
and universally binding. Russia acknowledged as much in myriad 
international commitments. And this law is just the tip of the 
proverbial iceberg when it comes to fundamental freedoms in Russia.
  In recent days it has been fashionable to change the colors of your 
website or make other symbolic gestures of solidarity with Russia's 
LGBT community. I applaud this and have done as much myself, but let's 
not kid ourselves or rest on our laurels. It takes little courage to 
swap an avatar on Twitter or to use a coded phrase in a statement and 
it is going to take a lot more to change the world for the better. As 
important as these symbols of solidarity are, let's not confuse them 
with the steady and sustained activism that will be necessary to 
highlight human rights abuses in Russia long after the flame goes out 
in Sochi.
  I have heard much speculation of a further crackdown in Russia after 
the Olympic spotlight fades, and I would note that the ongoing unrest 
in Ukraine is watched with great interest from Russia. While the 
Kremlin appears nervous at the prospects of renewed demonstrations at 
home or the success of any grassroots uprising on its borders, many in 
Moscow and St. Petersburg appear envious that the Ukrainian protests 
have shown staying power and the ability to pry concessions from the 
ruling elite. I worry that if anything could provoke a crackdown inside 
Russia post-Sochi, a turn of events in Ukraine could well prove that 
trigger and I urge the administration to double-down on its efforts to 
head off further violence. That is why I introduced the Global Human 
Rights Accountability Act, which would ensure human rights abusers from 
anywhere in the world are denied entry into the United States and 
barred from using our financial institution.
  Finally, let me commend our current and outgoing ambassador to the 
Russian Federation, Dr. Michael McFaul, for a job well done. Dr. McFaul 
served with distinction in a tough post at a tough time and did a 
fantastic job of representing our country's openness and ``can do'' 
spirit. He will be missed.

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