Pride organizers say parade will go ahead despite Serbian government cancellation

The organizers of the Belgrade Pride have affirmed this Saturday that the parade for the rights of the LGBT community called for the third week of September in the country’s capital will take place, despite the cancellation of the Serbian government, which has justified the decision in the current crisis with Kosovo.

“Taking into account the current political situation in the region and the daily tensions that arise, as well as public order, peace and security of all citizens of our country, the Government of Serbia considers that at the moment there are no conditions for the safe holding of Euro Pride 2022,” reads the statement of the Serbian Executive.

Thus, the missive indicates that “certain extremist groups could use and abuse this event and Serbia’s willingness to organize it to further increase tensions and lead Serbia to instability.”

The organizers of the parade have immediately responded by saying that the event would continue to be held, due to the fact that the Executive has no right to ban it.

The president of the European Association of Pride Parade organizers, Kristine Garina, has announced that “it has not been canceled and will not be canceled.” The right to celebrate Pride, she said, is a basic human right, according to the European Court of Human Rights, reports the FoNet portal.

In this way, Garina has pointed out that the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vicic, cannot cancel the event; while the prime minister, Ana Brenabic, “has to keep her promise.”

Previously, far-right organizers as well as representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church had raised opposition to the event, reports dpa agency.