01/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - Members of the Intergroup for homosexual and lesbian rights at the European Parliament, presided by Michael Cashman (British Labour Party), have made a written protest against the banning of the first Russian Gay Pride, planned for 27 May, by the Mayor of Moscow, although organisers have declared that it would be a calm and dignified demonstration for human rights. The Mayor of Moscow had said that the plans for the march “have caused outrage in society, particularly among religious leaders.” The vice president of the Intergroup Sophie in't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands) vigorously responded by saying that religious opinion can never be used as an excuse to oppress people, and Russia, as a member of the Council of Europe (of which it will soon be assuming the rotating presidency), should respect fundamental rights, including the freedom of assembly. Russia also has to respect minority rights, exclaimed Raül Romeva (Greens/EFA, Spain), another Intergroup vice president. A third vice president, Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED, Spain), indicated that the Intergroup had posed several questions about this matter at the Commission and Council, asking them how they were going to respond.