Commentary by Mozaīka

On July 7, Mozaīka, the alliance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) and their friends, submitted an application to the Riga city council to organize a peaceful march in the center of Riga.  On July 19 the city council rejected the application on the grounds of insurmountable security threats posed by extremist organizations but refused to disclose the nature of these threats, as this information has been classified as a state secret and will not be made public for five years

This decision was upheld yesterday by the district administrative court.  The prohibition is the culmination of an aggressively homophobic campaign sustained throughout the past year by numerous politicians, religious leaders and media.  The campaign began several weeks before Latvia’s first Gay Pride parade last year, reached a crescendo last December with an amendment to the Latvian constitution banning gay marriage, and reached its climax a month ago when parliament violated an EU directive by refusing to include sexual orientation in the employment anti-discrimination law.

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.  State authorities have clearly failed to fulfil their obligations to secure fundamental democratic rights to freedom of expression and assembly and to combat political extremism.

If the security threat posed by these extremists’ organizations is as severe as the state claims, then Latvian society has the right to be fully informed about it.  Mozaīka therefore demands that the classified information cited by the Riga city council be declassified, and that Latvian authorities take action to eliminate this threat and ensure the safety of all of Latvia’s residents.  The danger of extremist violence must be understood and faced by the people and the government together.

In an atmosphere of homophobia and prejudice against gay and lesbian people, it is the duty of politicians to lead society toward tolerance and understanding.  Instead, the Latvian political elite have exploited fear and prejudice for political gain.  

This has to change.  The state of democratic freedoms in Latvia must be made a matter of serious public discussion.  State authorities take strong action to eradicate homophobia and prejudice through education and information.  Mozaīka and our cooperation partners will continue to monitor hate speech in the media and political arena and to hold responsible those who sow the seeds of hatred.

Nearly two decades ago, Latvians chose democracy over totalitarianism; tolerance over hate; freedom over human rights abuse.  They chose the path of European democracy.  Just few years ago, we proudly saw Latvia join the community of democratic states by joining the EU and NATO.

LGBT people worked alongside the rest of their countrymen in the struggle for independence and during the ensuing “return to Europe.”  Today, these hopes have been betrayed.  It is time to remind the government that as an EU an NATO member-state Latvia has accepted the responsibility to protect democratic freedoms, to ensure human rights and equal opportunities, non-discrimination and minority protection.

By joining these alliances, Latvia has also recognized that it has a duty to combat extremism and intolerance, to eradicate racism, xenophobia and homophobia.  The recent events demonstrate the failure of the Latvian state to live up to these responsibilities.  We believe that no country can be a reliable member of a democratic and security alliance if it does not want or is not able to guarantee democratic rights and security to its own citizens.  Therefore today, Latvia needs the help of its friends and allies to stay true to its democratic choice.

Today’s events are of grave concern not only to gay and lesbian people; they are a wake-up call to all who wish to see Latvia as a democratic and prosperous country.  Today it is time to take a stand against extremism and the assault on our rights.

Today, these forces threaten the democratic rights and safety of gay and lesbian people.  Tomorrow, they may turn against any other person and group of different colour, race, religion or belief.

Today, the LGBT community wanted to protest against the discrimination, physical and psychological violence and intimidation directed against them.  They wanted to demand equal rights, respect and legal protection.  They were denied that possibility.  Tomorrow, this possibility could be denied to anyone else.

Therefore, to all citizens of this country, regardless of their political beliefs, ethnicity, sexual orientation or faith, we offer this simple message: “Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.”

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