Pride organizers say parade will go ahead despite Serbian government cancellation

MADRID, 28 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The organizers of Pride in Belgrade have affirmed this Saturday that the parade for the rights of the LGBT community convened for the third week of September in the country's capital will take place, despite the cancellation by the Government of Serbia, which has justified the decision in the current crisis with Kosovo.

"Taking into account the current political situation in the region and the daily tensions that arise, as well as public order, peace and security for all citizens of our country, the Government of Serbia considers that at this time there are no conditions for the safe celebration of Euro Pride 2022", reads the statement from the Serbian Executive.

Thus, the letter indicates that "certain extremist groups could use and abuse this event and Serbia's willingness to organize it to further increase tensions and lead Serbia to instability."

The organizers of the parade have responded immediately by saying that the event would continue to be held, because the Executive has no right to prohibit it.

The president of the European Association of Pride Parade organisers, Kristine Garina, has announced that "it has not been canceled and will not be cancelled". The right to celebrate Pride, she has indicated, is a basic human right, according to the European Court of Human Rights, collects the FoNet portal.

In this way, Garina has indicated that the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vicic, cannot cancel the event; while the prime minister, Ana Brenabic, "has to keep her promise."

Previously, far-right organizers as well as representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church had raised opposition to the event, reports the dpa agency.