Official permission for Pride parade still not granted
Serbian activists make five equality demands to their government
London, UK – 17 September 2015
Human rights and LGBT campaigner Peter Tatchell will be attending this Sunday’s (20th September) Belgrade Pride in Serbia. The event will take place despite it still not having been given police permission. A number of previous Pride marches have been declared illegal and attacked by neo-Nazis and ultra-nationalists.
SERBIAN ACTIVISTS MAKE FIVE DEMANDS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT
• Launch public consultations on the Law Recognising Legal Consequences of Sex Change and Transsexuality and urgently enact this law
• Launch public consultations on the Law on Civil Partnerships and enact this law
• Adopt a Declaration against Homophobia in the Serbian Parliament
• Expedite action by police, prosecutors, and courts in cases involving LGBT victims and prioritise these cases
• Ensure consistent application of the Criminal Code’s hate crime provisions
PETER TATCHELL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR BELGRADE PRIDE
“I’m honoured to join the brave, inspiring LGBT activists of Belgrade Pride as they march this Sunday. Some previous marches have been banned by the government and violently attacked by homophobic mobs. As of today, Sunday’s march has not been granted official permission. It will go ahead regardless,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
“Serbian LGBT campaigners have shown huge courage in taking a stand for equality and visibility, despite the on-going threats against them by the far right. They are operating in a society where religious and nationalist forces remain influential. Because of this widespread social homophobia, not a single Serbian public figure is openly LGBT. The Pride march challenges this stigma and invisibility. I am proud to join Belgrade Pride in their struggle for LGBT freedom,” said Mr Tatchell.
ROUTE DETAILS OF BELGRADE PRIDE MARCH
The Pride March, scheduled for 20 September, is due start at 12 noon in front of the Serbian Government Building on Kneza Milosa Street. From there the marchers will walk up Kneza Milosa to London Corner, then left on Kralja Milana to the Iguman Building, followed by a right turn for the March to finish in the same spot as it did last year, in the square in front of Belgrade City Hall.
Information about Belgrade Pride: www.parada.rs