I am sincerely concerned with the atmosphere building up as we approach this year Pride Parade. Physical and verbal attacks on LGBT population are more and more frequent, hatred and bigotry are openly expressed, and the right to peaceful assembly is being denied.
Homophobic statements of certain politicians are especially dangerous, spreading prejudices and rancour towards LGBT population and both inciting and absolving those who threat with violence against the participants of the Parade.
Serbia has precise laws that guarantee the respect of human rights and forbid the discrimination of any kind, including the sexual orientation; those laws bind the state to protect human rights and secure safety of every single person. We are witnessing, on the other hand, the laws not being adequately implemented.
And by that I don’t have in mind the evident inefficacy in processing the criminal acts of discrimination and violent behaviour, and the mild punishments for this kind of criminals. I have in mind all those strategically important activities that should be done in order to change the system of values, to overcome prejudices and stereotypes, and raise the awareness of human rights, indiscrimination, tolerance and the respect for the right of being different…