Head of the European Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport welcomed the steps taken by Serbian authorities to ensure the holding of Pride Parade and called for a universal fight against homophobia in society.
Four ministers’ meeting with organisers and their decision to participate in the march on Sunday, sent a strong message of support to Pride Parade, Davenport told the International Pride Forum.
By expressing a hope that the march would take place, Davenport said it would send a clear message to the whole region, EU and beyond that Serbia respected fundamental human rights and freedoms.
As an important step forward, Davenport listed the meeting of two Parliamentary committees with the organisers of Pride Parade. Apart from the support of Government’s officials and two Parliamentary Committees, Davenport also praised the launching of the National Anti-discrimination campaign run by Commissioner for Protection of Equality Nevena Petrusic.
Members of LGBT population are victims of discrimination, not only in Serbia, but in some of the EU Member States as well, and it is true that they are one of the most vulnerable groups in Serbia, Davenport said, adding that everybody shares a task of fighting against homophobia in society.
He also pointed out at the Serbian Constitutional Court’s decisions about the violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right to assembly, stressing that the State itself has finally recognised these decisions.
Davenport warned that media were an important partner in process of creating a more sensitive environment and should be trained to report objectively.
