LATVIA
Riga Gay Pride: We Will Not Organise Any Illegal Event
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London Mayor and Pride London slam ban decision as court ruling is awaited |
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RIGA, July 21, 2006 – As the decision of the Administrative Court as to whether or not tomorrow’s Gay Pride March in Riga can go ahead, organisers said today that “regardless of the outcome, we will not organise any illegal event”. On Wednesday, the City authorities banned the march. Gay Pride organisers immediately lodged a legal appeal to the Court. The decision is expected this afternoon. Mozaīka and the other LGBT groups who are joint organising Gay Pride will be holding a press conference to discuss the ruling of the Riga Administrative Court at 11am tomorrow local time (9am UTC). In London, Mayor Ken Livingstone, said that the decision of Riga City Council to ban Gay Pride March was “an unacceptable attack” on universal human rights. “If extremist groups threaten freedom of assembly in the capital of Latvia the authorities should deal with the extremists, not ban a legitimate peaceful parade by the lesbian and gay communities,” he said in a statement. “This ban appears to be based upon bigotry and discrimination against the lesbian and gay citizens of Latvia. “I deplore the fact that the ban has apparently been supported by leading members of the Latvian government such as the Prime Minister and the role of Christian leaders in campaigning against the Gay Pride Parade,” he continued. “The European Parliament has made clear that lesbian and gay people should be treated with ‘respect, dignity and protection’. Latvia is clearly not doing this. I urge Riga City Council to reverse this ban and ensure this march can take place without impediment.” Also condemning the ban is the Pride London committee. “Even in 2006 Pride events still receive threats and counter-protests. But we still feel that, as an unequal minority in society, we still have a long way to go on the road to equality – even in London,” said vice chair Emma Hands. “Pride London believes that that the Latvian authorities are using this as an excuse to cancel an event they have failed to support in the past. “In London we are proud that the Mayor and our police force stand by us and ensure the safety of everyone that takes part in Pride London. “We urge the City of Riga to follow this example. We condemn this decision and the sweeping tide of bigotry and homophobia we are witnessing across the Eastern EU,” she said. LINKS
OTHER RIGA PRIDE COVERAGE
Neo-Nazis Terrorise Riga Gay Pride Rally.
By Peter Tatchell. Neo-Nazi, Christian fundamentalist and extreme
nationalist protesters terrorised participants at the Gay Pride rally in the
Latvian capital of Riga last Saturday (July 22, 2006). Private armed guards
were drafted in to provide security, after the Latvian police repeatedly
failed to halt the aggression of the homophobic mob.
(UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Riga Gay
Pride: Lars Grava - “The Story That Needs To Be Told”.
Open Letter From Lars Grava.
Dearest friends: I am writing this in English since the story needs to be
told far and wide. This is the story from my perspective. Everyone else who
was there will have other stories to share. Gaston and I are safe after yesterday's well-organized
fascist attacks against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered
community in Riga during Pride.
(UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Gay Pride Organisers "Trapped" in Riga Hotel
– Rescued by Cabinet Minister
Organisers of Riga Gay Pride
have been "rescued" after being trapped for hours in the in the Reval Latvia Hotel, with "hysterical"
protesters surrounding the building. (UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Riga Gay Pride: Putting the European Union to the Test.
Commentary.
Sophie In’t Veld, the Dutch MEP and a vice president of
the European Parliament’s Intergroup for gay and lesbian rights did not
mince her words. “It’s putting Europe to the test,” she charged.
(UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Prohibiting Gay Rights March Is Blow for
Democracy.
Commentary by
Mozaīka. ...
Democracy is being held hostage by the
strengthening forces of extremism in Latvian society. These forces have
been encouraged by the unwillingness of the political elite to rein them in,
and indeed by the continuous barrage of hate speech indulged in with
impunity by many politicians themselves.
(UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Riga Gay Pride: It's Worse Than Moscow.
By Nikolai Alexeyev. It is astonishing. It’s worse than Moscow.
There is total chaos here. The police seem very weak and disorganized. The
fascists are able to act at will. And Latvia is in the European Union.
(UK
Gay News, July 22, 2006)
Citing National Security,
Court Says No To Riga Gay Pride. The
Administrative Court in Riga has this afternoon upheld the decision of the
City authorities to ban the Gay Pride Parade, due to be held tomorrow, on
the grounds of “national security” and concerns over public order. (UK
Gay News, July 21, 2006)
Riga Gay Pride March Ban
Is Wrong Says, Euro-MP Cashman. Labour MEP Michael Cashman has reacted with anger at the decision by authorities in
Latvia to ban this year’s Pride march which was scheduled for this Saturday
(22nd July).
(UK
Gay News, July 20, 2006)
Latvian President and
Amnesty Both Condemn Restriction of LGBT Rights. The President of
Latvia and Amnesty International (AI) have both issued statements this
morning following yesterday’s decision by the Riga City Council to ban this
weekend’s planned Gay Pride march in the capital.
(UK
Gay News, July 19, 2006)
A Blow for Democracy: Riga
Council Denies Permit for Gay Pride March. The Riga city council
this morning denied a permit Saturday’s “Riga Pride 2006” march. The city council justified its
decision by invoking threats of violence allegedly received from extremist
groups – and the police’s inability to guarantee security and order during
the march. (UK Gay News, July 19, 2006)
Latvian Priest Strongly
Supports Riga Gay Pride. An
English translation of an interview with openly gay Maris Sants conducted by
GayRussia website.
(UK Gay News, July 17, 2006)
Tension and Uncertainty
Rising Around Second Gay Pride in Riga. Latvian interior minister Dzintars Jaundžeikars went on record last week that the
Interior Ministry would not be able to provide adequate security during this
year’s Pride March, scheduled to be held on Saturday (July 22).
(UK Gay News, July 16, 2006)
Prominent Foreign Politicians to Take Part in Riga Pride.
Several European
politicians will be taking part in Friendship Days and Riga Gay Pride, due
to take place in the Latvian capital next week. (UK Gay News, July 16,
2006)
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Posted: 21 July 2006 at 12:00 (UK time)