The EU criticizes the cancellation of Pride in Belgrade and asks the Serbian authorities for explanations

MADRID, 29 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The ambassador of the European Union in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, criticized this Sunday the cancellation of Pride by the Serbian authorities, who justified the decision due to the current crisis with Kosovo.

"We regret that Serbia has announced that it will cancel or postpone the Europride that it had initially decided to organize in Belgrade in September and would appreciate further clarification," Giaufret said on his Twitter account.

In this sense, he added that they will "closely follow the issue": "We hope that a way will be found to guarantee that the Europride takes place in peace and security."

The European diplomat, previously ambassador to Israel, has called for the "closest" partners of the European Union to respect fundamental rights.

"The Europride has been defending the equal rights of LGBTIQ people throughout Europe for many years, giving a voice to those who are often discriminated against because of their sexual orientation", recalled Giaufret, after emphasizing that the EU "supports equality and rejects any form of discrimination".

Belgrade Pride organizers stated on Saturday that the parade for the rights of the LGBT community called for the third week of September in the country's capital will take place, despite the cancellation by the Government of Serbia, who indicated that the reason was the crisis with Kosovo.

The authorities explained in a statement that "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". Thus, the letter indicated 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.