March with pride to end prejudice

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
15 May 2008

Europe: Lesbians and gay men march with pride to end prejudice

Amnesty International calls on governments in Europe to secure the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to celebrate their identity at a series of pride marches and other public events that take place each year between April and November.

“Equality before the law with no discrimination is the message that gay rights activists take to the streets. Yet more often than not they are prevented from doing so in safety,” said Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at Amnesty International.

In a number of countries, mainly in Eastern Europe, participants in pride events too often face threats and official hostility even before they march. They are jeered, spat at, and pummelled with bottles, eggs, excrement, and fists by protesters, sometimes while police look on.

On 11 May, 60 would-be participants sought to travel to the Moldovan capital in defiance of a ban a pride march – the sixth time such a ban had been imposed. There, at least three times as many protesters surrounded their bus, forced open the doors, and seized their banners and flags while police watched from half a dozen patrol cars parked nearby.

Even the Eurovision Song Contest to be held on 20-24 May in Belgrade is not safe from anti-gay protesters. In Serbia, where safety concerns have prevented the Gay-Straight Alliance from organizing a pride event, an extremist group has threatened violence against anyone they perceive as lesbian or gay at the event. In a number of East European countries, some events are banned outright, in violation of international law.

Authorities breach their obligations claiming security concerns and the violation of what they perceive as spiritual and moral values.

Amnesty International is campaigning for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to be free from physical and verbal attacks and threats; free to assemble and organise events; and adequately protected by law enforcement officials.

At the end of this month for the second year running, Amnesty International activists from over 20 countries will take part in Riga’s pride march to display international support and solidarity.

The march will be a test of how far respect for equality extends. “Regardless of the obstacles thrown in their way, lesbian and gay activists are claiming their human rights. It is the duty of governments to deliver on their obligations,” Nicola Duckworth said.

Public Document

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