HOME | ARCHIVE | EMAIL US | TRAVEL SECTION
 

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Attack on Gay Festival in Sarajevo Condemned by MEPs

■ Sirpa Pietikäinen: “Politicians should have the courage to stand up against any kind of violence and protect human rights of every citizen.” photo courtesy European Parliament

BRUSSELS, September 25, 2008  –  The violence at yesterday’s opening of the Sarajevo Queer Festival – the first of its kind organised in Bosnia-Herzegovina – has been condemned by members of the European Parliament’s all-party ‘Intergroup’ for gay and lesbian human rights.

Violence erupted at the festival got underway, with a number of people arrested – some reports suggest 10 were injured, including a journalist who was himself attacked as he tried to help a victim of an attack.

Many extremist groups and politicians have openly called for violence against homosexual and transgender people.

“We strongly condemn the attacks against the Sarajevo Queer Festival,” said Intergroup president Michael Cashman from the PSE (Labour) group in the Parliament.

“It is a cowardly behaviour to challenge the views one disagrees with by violence.

“I also need to point out that Bosnia-Herzegovina wants to become a member of the European Union and the country should clearly show that it is ready for membership.

“Authorities and society at large must show that they can respect the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people not just in law, but also in practice.

“Respect for human rights is at the heart of EU membership,” he pointed out.

Sirpa Pietikäinen, vice president of the Intergroup for the EPP-ED (Conservatives) added that religious and political leaders should be aware that the violence of yesterday is a result of their homophobic speeches.

“They must understand that is not acceptable,” she said.

“Politicians should have the courage to stand up against any kind of violence and protect human rights of every citizen.”

Seed Newsvine  

Got an opinion on this article?  Leave your comment here.