MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Critics of a controversial Russian law banning “homosexual propoganda” for minors should calm down, Russia’s sports minister said, claiming the legislation was not aimed at clamping down on rights.

“I would like to ask everyone to calm down,” Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko told reporters at a news conference ahead of today’s opening of the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.

“All sportsmen and sports organisations should be calm. All their rights are going to be protected,” he told reporters late on Thursday.

His comments came after British actor Stephen Fry called for Russia to be barred from hosting the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi over the “barbaric” law.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in June signed into law legislation that punishes the dissemination of information about homosexuality to minors, but which activists say can be used for a broad crackdown against gays.

“As for that law, it is not aimed at restricting the rights of citizens, irrespective of their nationality, faith or any other inclinations,” said Mutko.

“This law is aimed at banning propaganda for minors. No-one is going to infringe on anyone’s rights.”

IAAF president Lamine Diack, speaking alongside Mutko, backed the Russian sports minister’s comments saying that he did “not see problems in connection with this law”.

“We need to respect the laws of Russia,” the supremo of world athletics said. “We have come to compete in athletics. And as for private lives, we do not need to touch this topic. So this topic does not worry me,” said Diack.

Foreigners found guilty of violating the law can not only be fined up to 5,000 rubles ($156,114 euros) but face administrative arrest of up to 15 days and eventual deportation.

Gay activists have also been calling for a boycott of Russian vodka, whose brands have traditionally been popular in gay clubs. Meanwhile, the hashtags BoycottRussia and BoycottSochi have become increasingly popular on Twitter.