Brussels, 04/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 4 October, European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle noted “with regret” the decision of the Serbian government to cancel the Gay Pride march in Belgrade on 6 October for security reasons - for the second consecutive year. Saying that he had followed the issue closely with the EU delegation in Belgrade, MEPs and the high representative of the EU, Füle called on the Serbian authorities to watch that the rights of freedom of assembly and expression be fully respected and that all peaceful gatherings might take place in the future. He added that the Commission will continue to support and encourage the measures for a favourable climate for implementing human rights, including open and constructive debates on the recognition and protection of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community.
Füle also strongly condemned the acts of intimidation and threat by extremist organisations directed against the organisers of Gay Pride and regretted that the threats had been assessed as sufficiently serious to stop the parade from going ahead. He said he was waiting for the Serbian authorities to set up an inquiry into these threats and to bring the authors to justice.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz said he was very concerned about the ban, which is a worrying sign of the position of the Serbian government on freedom and fundamental rights. The S&D and ALDE groups at the European Parliament also condemned the banning of the parade.
On 3 October, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjorn Jagland, expressed his surprise and disappointment at the ban on this march of pride “again”. “Citizens should be able to exercise their rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. Serbia should be in a position to safeguard such an event, which is commonplace in modern democracies”, he said.
Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic cancelled Gay Pride on 3 October “in order to ensure the security of citizens and to preserve public order and peace” (our translation) after threats from extremist groups to organise counter-demonstrations. Gay Pride was already banned last year for the same reasons of security and after the 2010 parade had been followed by violent confrontations between ultranationalists and the police (CG/transl.fl)