Belgrade authorities again failed to uphold the rights to freedom of assembly and expression by refusing to allow the Pride parade, scheduled for September 28, citing security concerns for participants as the reason.
This is the third consecutive year they’ve pulled the plug on the Pride parade following the disruption of the 2010 Pride, which came to an abrupt end when violent clashes erupted between right-wing protesters and police.
Authorities have used the same excuse every year: they say they cannot guarantee the safety of Pride participants. Homophobic statements by public figures certainly don’t help. On the eve of the parade, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic declared that homosexuality is not normal. The police union had expressed the police’s readiness to protect pride participants.
The cancellation of the march is a huge blow to the active lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Serbia, who for years have fought relentlessly for their right to freedom of assembly. It may also be a blow for Serbia’s EU membership aspirations, as the EU had urged Serbian authorities to allow the Pride parade.
Instead of caving into threats by homophobic groups, the authorities in Serbia should ensure that the LGBT community and its supporters can freely exercise their rights. Such positive actions would show Serbia’s willingness to comply with international and regional human right standards as befits a future EU candidate state.
