Religious Opinion No Excuse

BRUSSELS, February 28, 2006  –  Recent statements from the Mayor of Moscow – and his office – that any application for a Gay Pride parade in Moscow in May would not be considered has been condemned by the European Parliament’s Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup.

Last week in Berlin, Mayor Juri Lushkov said: “A parade like this is not going to take place”.

Earlier this month, the mayor’s spokesperson Sergei Tsoi said the reason for denying people their freedom of assembly, was that the plans for a march “have caused outrage in society, particularly among religious leaders”.

Officers of the European Parliament Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup have this afternoon (February 28) issued a statement expressing their “serious concern” about proclamations coming from Moscow.

“We, the Officers of the Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights in the European Parliament, wish to condemn this attitude,” said Michael Cashman (PES-UK)), president of the Intergroup.

And Intergroup vice president Sophie in 't Veld (ALDE-Netherlands) said that it was to send out a strong signal that such behaviour is totally unacceptable.

“Religious opinion can never be used as an excuse to disparage or oppress LGBT people,” she said  “As a member of the Council of Europe, and especially with the upcoming presidency, Russia should respect the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, including the freedom of assembly,” she added.

Raül Romeva (Greens/EFA-Spain), another vice=president of the Intergroup, pointed out that Russia has also signed the European Neighbourhood Policy and is thereby committed to "common values principally within the fields of the rule of law, good governance, the respect for human rights, including minority rights..."

“Human rights are for everyone, also lesbians and gays.  To deny them their freedom of assembly is discriminatory,” he pointed out.

Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED-Finland) said that the steering committee of the Intergroup has sent written questions to the both the Commission and the Counci.

“We are asking for action,” he said.

■  European Parliament’s Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup website

See Also:

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