Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said that Pride March in Belgrade sent a positive message from Serbia regarding the observance of human rights.
“It is clear that the organisers of the Pride work with the police and relevant authorities who clearly support the Pride – which is another positive message about the observance of human rights,” Davenport told the press during today’s Pride March.
He added he had no concerns for his safety, and thanked the police for being efficient in making sure both citizens and participants were safe.
Actress Mirjana Karanovic, the ‘godmother’ of this year’s Pride Parade, today officially opened the Belgrade Pride 2016 allowing the March, held under the slogan ‘Love changes the world’, to begin at 12:30.
The group walked through the city centre amid tight police security. The March ended with a concert in the Republic Square.
Organisers said this was a historic Belgrade Pride parade as it moved from Slavija Square “to the heart of Belgrade, where we belong” adding that “it was the first genuine Pride Parade as it is supposed to be”.
In Terazije Sqaure, next to the Monument to hanged patriots, the participants observed a minute of silence to pay respect to victims of fascism and express solidarity with the LGBTI community in Turkey. “A minute of silence” was organised as a sign of solidarity with the LGBTI community in Turkey and to commemorate the murder of trans-activist Hande Kader who was killed in early August 2016.
Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-government Ana Brnabic, Head of Serbia’s EU Negotiating Team Tanja Miscevic, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic and President of the Parliamentary Committee for European Integration Marinika Tepic also supported the Pride March. Also, among the participants were numerous opposition politicians and public figures. Apart from the EU Ambassador Davenport, among the diplomats were ambassadors of the US Ambassador Kyle Scott, Italy Giuseppe Manzo, Germany Axel Dittmann, the Netherlands Henk van den Dool and a European Parliament Member Tanja Fajon.
The Pride March was held without any incidents.
