Intl. officials react to Belgrade violence

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland expressed concern over yesterday's violent incidents in Belgrade during the Pride Parade. However, he praised the determination of the Serbian government to protect human rights. Intl. officials react to Belgrade violence Minority groups such as members of gay and lesbian population, must not live in the fear of violence either in Serbia, or anywhere else in Europe, stated Jagland. As media reported, he praised the determination of the Serbian government in the defense of human rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Linda Freimane, co-chair of the Executive Board of the Brussels-based International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA-Europe, stated on Monday that the events in Belgrade on the occasion of the Pride Parade were no different from the incidents that accompanied similar manifestations in other European cities, such as London, Paris and Berlin. Social changes do not happen quickly, said Freimane, who took part in the Sunday Pride Parade in Belgrade. One should bear in mind that street parades by the LGBT population used to be understood as highly provocative in most parts of Europe, Freimane also said. Pride parades have never been launched as festive events that we are used to now in cities such as London, Paris, Berlin or Brussels, said Freimane, adding that at the beginning, a few courageous ones always decided to become visible and request equality and justice. Despite violence, this day may be marked in our calendars and a historic day for the LGTB movement in Serbia, which, after Slovenia and Croatia, is the third country among the former Yugoslav countries that had managed to organize an uninterrupted parade parade with about 1,000 participants, Freimane said in a commentary published today by the Brussels daily EUobserver. Freimane expressed hope that one day pride parade participants will be able to walk along Belgrade's streets which are not completely deserted for security reasons and without fear for their lives. Freimane underscored that the attitude of Serbian authorities towards the LGTB population had changed dramatically over the past year, but that massive attacks on police should raise serious concern. EP official Jelko Kacin strongly condemned the violence in Belgrade on Sunday and suggested that Serbia's EU integration ambition might suffer as a consequence. Scenes from Belgrade on Sunday (Tanjug)

Intl. officials react to Belgrade violence

Minority groups such as members of gay and lesbian population, must not live in the fear of violence either in Serbia, or anywhere else in Europe, stated Jagland.

As media reported, he praised the determination of the Serbian government in the defense of human rights, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Linda Freimane, co-chair of the Executive Board of the Brussels-based International Lesbian and Gay Association ILGA-Europe, stated on Monday that the events in Belgrade on the occasion of the Pride Parade were no different from the incidents that accompanied similar manifestations in other European cities, such as London, Paris and Berlin.

Social changes do not happen quickly, said Freimane, who took part in the Sunday Pride Parade in Belgrade. One should bear in mind that street parades by the LGBT population used to be understood as highly provocative in most parts of Europe, Freimane also said.

Pride parades have never been launched as festive events that we are used to now in cities such as London, Paris, Berlin or Brussels, said Freimane, adding that at the beginning, a few courageous ones always decided to become visible and request equality and justice.

Despite violence, this day may be marked in our calendars and a historic day for the LGTB movement in Serbia, which, after Slovenia and Croatia, is the third country among the former Yugoslav countries that had managed to organize an uninterrupted parade parade with about 1,000 participants, Freimane said in a commentary published today by the Brussels daily EUobserver.

Freimane expressed hope that one day pride parade participants will be able to walk along Belgrade's streets which are not completely deserted for security reasons and without fear for their lives.

Freimane underscored that the attitude of Serbian authorities towards the LGTB population had changed dramatically over the past year, but that massive attacks on police should raise serious concern.

EP official Jelko Kacin strongly condemned the violence in Belgrade on Sunday and suggested that Serbia's EU integration ambition might suffer as a consequence.