Jelko Kacin comment on Belgrade gay rights march

The first Gay Pride parade in Serbia since a march in 2001 took place yesterday amid violent clashes provoked by far-right extremists. While the Gay Pride parade was moving though centre Belgrade, several hundred protesters shouted "death to homosexuals" while trying to get close to the march. Thousands of police had sealed off central Belgrade to protect the event. More than 100 people were injured, mostly police officers, while the centre Belgrade was demolished by the hooligans.

EP rapporteur Jelko Kacin (ALDE/LDS) sharply criticized attempts by hooligans and far-right extremists to prevent the first Gay Pride parade from taking place in Belgrade. “Incidents and outbreaks of violence that took place yesterday are not only to an attack on basic human rights of the parade’s participants, but they amount to an attack on the very rule of law in the country. Pictures of Belgrade under a virtual siege that have travelled around the world today convey a particularly negative message that there is a significant lack of basic human tolerance towards minorities in Serbia. Today’s events also question the efficiency of the country’s institutions and their ability to guarantee public order and the right to assembly and freedom of expression. I wish to convey my solidarity with the injured police officers and citizens” Kacin was quoted as saying.                  

On the other hand, he warned that it is essential that the government take all necessary steps in order to put an end to extremist organizations, of which a great number still hasn’t been banned despite the fact that evidently violate the constitution. “Gay Pride parades have come to be routine manifestations of openness and tolerance in a vast majority of EU countries. In the neighbouring Croatia, pride parades have taken place annually without any major incidents since 2002. Unfortunately, Belgrade has missed a unique opportunity to demonstrate on a most vivid case that the rule of law has been firmly established in the country. The government needs to employ all institutional mechanisms in order to bring to an end all forms of violent extremism”, stated Kacin.

 “I would single out the role of minister of interior affairs Ivica Dacic and LDP leader Cedomir Jovanovic who unequivocally supported the parade. All political establishment needs to react to today’s events. The message that was sent today from the streets of Belgrade can have only negative effect on the decision of the Dutch government and parliament regarding next steps in Serbia’s European integration process. Public order and rule of law need to be restored as soon as possible”, added Kacin.