Hundreds of LGBTQ+ activists march in Belgrade regardless of authorities’ ban

The parade, alleged to be the excessive level of this pan-European occasion which takes place annually in a unique metropolis, befell with out notable incident. However in line with native media, clashes pitted counter-protesters in opposition to police. The Serbian Inside Ministry had banned the march on Tuesday, citing safety issues as far-right teams threatened to stage their very own protests after a collection of counter-Satisfaction within the capital.

“I have been to a number of Prides however this one is barely extra worrying than the others,” mannequin and activist Yasmin Benoit informed AFP. “I am from the UK the place everyone seems to be extra supportive and it is extra industrial (…) However right here, that is actually what a Satisfaction must be, ”she added, in reference to the societal combat on the origins of the motion.

“We’re preventing for the way forward for this nation,” mentioned Luka, a Serbian protester who declined to provide his final title. Regardless of the ban, the demonstrators have been in a position to stroll just a few hundred meters within the rain, between the Constitutional Council and a close-by park, a a lot shorter route in comparison with the Satisfaction march initially deliberate.

Homophobia

Massive riot police have been deployed across the rally and repelled small teams of counter-protesters brandishing crosses and spiritual insignia, in line with AFP journalists. The House Workplace additionally banned counter-demonstrations, however customers in far-right chat rooms vowed to protest Satisfaction

Learn additionally: Serbia needs to cancel EuroPride in Belgrade. However not the organizers

In response to the ministry, 31 folks have been arrested. The authorities didn’t specify who it was, however AFP journalists noticed a number of counter-protesters being arrested.

In response to N1 tv, scuffles occurred between police and counter-demonstrators, the latter throwing smoke bombs on the police, a number of of whose automobiles have been broken.

Consternation after the ban

The Inside Ministry had additionally banned all counter-demonstrations, however in far-right discussion groups, customers had promised to protest in opposition to the Satisfaction. In response to the ministry, 31 folks have been arrested. The authorities didn’t specify who it was, however AFP journalists noticed a number of counter-protesters being arrested.

The march ban had prompted consternation amongst rights NGOs. It’s a “shameful give up, and the implicit consecration of intolerance and threats of illegal violence,” in line with Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch.

Belgrade has been the topic of intense worldwide strain – greater than 20 embassies, together with these of america, France, Germany or Japan, having referred to as on it in a joint assertion to rethink its choice.

Serbia has been a candidate for EU membership for a decade however member states have raised issues over time about its rights report.

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Anti-Satisfaction Orthodox Bikers and Clergymen

Homosexual marriage just isn’t authorized on this nation of lower than seven million inhabitants, the place homophobia is deeply rooted regardless of some progress in opposition to discrimination. The Satisfaction marches of 2001 and 2010 have been focused by the far proper and marred by violence.

Since 2014, the Satisfaction has been held with out notable incident however underneath sturdy police safety. Final weekend, hundreds of individuals, motorbike gangs, Orthodox clergymen and far-right nationalists, took to the streets to demand the cancellation of the parade. “I’m right here to protect Serbian traditions, religion and tradition that are being destroyed by sodomites,” mentioned Andrej Bakic, 36, a counter-protester and member of a gaggle surrounded by police on Saturday. riot management.

Learn additionally: Greater than 200 arrested in the course of the Satisfaction march in Istanbul