ILGA-Europe strongly condemns President Aleksandar Vučić’s statement announcing a cancellation of EuroPride 2022

We want to remind President Vučić of Serbia’s commitments under the European Convention of Human Rights, especially with respect to ensuring the effective enjoyment of right to freedom of assembly and expression, as reaffirmed through multiple judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Serbia also has an obligation to ensure that participants in peaceful demonstrations, including LGBTI public events and marches, are effectively protected and able to exercise their right safely. Acknowledging that Pride organisers have held safe and peaceful pride marches for 8 consecutive years in Belgrade, we trust that Serbian authorities have demonstrated they can address any security concerns which may arise.

Evelyne Paradis, ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, commented: “Equality, justice and freedom are not matters that can be put aside when political and economic problems arise. On the contrary, they are cornerstones of building free, democratic and prosperous societies, which should therefore be a priority at all times for any government.”

Many people will be coming to Belgrade for EuroPride 2022, including several European officials, acknowledging the importance of holding the event for the first time in the Western Balkans. ILGA-Europe will also be joining to celebrate with the LGBTI community the growing support from the wider population for LGBTI people in the region.

We therefore reiterate our full support to the organisers of EuroPride 2022 and to the entire LGBTI+ community in the Western Balkans region.