■ Ian Bond, HM Ambassador to Latvia.

RIGA, March 8, 2007  –  The ‘Statement of Unity’ between Pride London as Rigas Praidas, due to be formally signed this evening in Riga, was another important ‘first’ for Anglo-Latvian friendship, the British Ambassador, Ian Bond, said last night at an Embassy reception for members of Mozaika and the visiting officials Pride London to mark the signing.

“The last twelve months have seen a lot of firsts in Latvia – the first visit to Latvia by The Queen; the first visit to Latvia by a British Prime Minister; the first time a NATO Summit has been held here,” he said.

“I am fairly certain that this is the first time there has been such a gathering in this residence.  I view it, and the Statement of Unity to be signed tomorrow, as further important firsts.”

The Ambassador reflected on the 35 years of Pride history in London, pointing out that it was now an important event on London’s calendar, not only for the capital’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, but for the wider London community as well.

“When [Pride London] started, it also met incomprehension, prejudice and opposition,” he pointed out.  “Rigas Praids is still controversial here.  Unscrupulous populists are happy to exploit ignorance, and to encourage violence against people peacefully exercising their human rights of freedom of assembly and expression.

“I, and some of my European colleagues, have been accused by some parts of the Latvian press of interfering in Latvia’s internal affairs by supporting Mozaika and Rigas Praids.  I am sorry that some people feel that way about us; but I cannot apologise for defending European values of tolerance and inclusion – values to which Latvia has also subscribed, and which many senior figures in Latvia, including in the Government, have actively defended.

“As Latvia’s President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, said last summer, in commenting on the controversy around Rigas Praids: “In a democratic state, and Latvia is such a state, the society must respect different views and the rights of different people, including the rights of individuals with a different sexual orientation”.”

Ambassador Bond emphasised that British Government Ministers would wholeheartedly agree with the Latvian President’s remarks.

“The British Government believes that all human beings are equal in dignity and rights,” he said. 

“It does not matter what our gender, our age, our ethnicity, our religion, our sexual orientation or any other difference.  We are all entitled to our human rights, without discrimination, because we are human. 

“And the British Government, through the Foreign Office and British Embassies overseas, will continue its efforts to defend the right of people not to be discriminated against on the grounds of their sexuality. 

“It’s a matter of fairness, equality and justice.  Being different, not conforming, should never be a basis for abuse and discrimination.  And I think that most people in Latvia, if the case were presented to them in that way, would accept that.

“I hope that the Statement of Unity will lay the foundations for practical cooperation between Pride London and Rigas Praids; I hope that this year’s Rigas Praids will be an occasion for celebration, not conflict.

“And I hope that the spirit of tolerance and inclusion which undoubtedly exists in many parts of Latvian society will defeat the forces of prejudice and discrimination.

■  This morning, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, said he welcomed was he said was a “timely partnership agreement” between the Pride organisers of London and Riga.

“This initiative gives both sets of Pride organisers the opportunity to share expertise about their events as well as providing support to the organised lesbian and gay community in Riga.

“Riga Pride and Pride London’s commitment to work more closely reflects the difficulties faced by Pride organisers across Eastern Europe.  There have been attacks on the rights of lesbians and gay men in Eastern Europe with violence at, and/or bans on, Gay Pride events last year in Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Moldova and Romania.

“I have already, and continue to, condemn all these and assert the basic human and civil right of gay men and lesbians to peacefully demonstrate.  If homophobia and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people remains strong, the positive impact of high profile Gay Pride marches cannot be underestimated.”

Mr. Livingstone again praised the Mayor of Riga, Janis Birks for his remarks earlier this week about last year’s troubled Riga Pride

“If extremist groups once again threaten freedom of assembly, the authorities should take decisive action,” the Mayor of London said.

“I urge Mr Birks to consolidate his position and ensure a peaceful Gay Pride demonstration takes place in an appropriate central venue in the city.

“London is proud to host the annual Pride Parade and Rally and efforts by my administration reflect a positive and progressive attitude towards London’s LGBT community through the provision of high profile cultural events, strategic policies, community engagement and challenges to discrimination.

“Above all we stand for a city where everybody can be themselves, where different communities come to understand and learn from one another and where there is no place for bigotry, homophobia, racism or any other form of discrimination.

‘I hope that this event is the start of a long and fruitful relationship between Riga Pride and Pride London and I wish you both all the best for this year’s Pride events,” Mr. Livingstone concluded.

SEE ALSO

Mayor of London Urges New Mayor of Riga to Press on With Latvian Gay Pride March.  The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today welcomed the statement of the new Mayor of Riga saying he was “ashamed” of the attack on the Gay Pride march in that city last year and urged him to ensure that the peaceful Gay Pride march in the city this year could proceed.  (UK Gay News, March 3, 2007)

New Riga Mayor Ashamed of Events at Last Year’s Gay Pride.  Jānis Birks, the newly elected Mayor of Riga, appears to have no issues with the Gay Pride parade in the Latvian capital.  He was interviewed by the internet-based news portal Vdiena.lv which is run by the biggest Latvian daily newspaper “Diena”.  (UK Gay News, March 3, 2007)

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Posted: 8 March 2007 at 18:30 (UK time)