LGBT in Europe

Prosecutors have pledged to identity and charge all those responsible for Saturday's violent attacks on people attending a banned EuroPride celebration

Serbian police clashed with far-right demonstrators during the EuroPride march in Belgrade yesterday afternoon, DPA reported, quoted by BTA. Several thousand people joined the parade of the LGBT community.

So far, about 150 participants of "EuroPride" have arrived, reports a reporter from the scene. There are many foreigners among those present. Many of the participants do not speak Serbian. Despite the rain, protests and a large number of police officers, both in uniform and in civilian clothes, the atmosphere is still very positive and cheerful.

Foto: Sanja Dojki/ B92

Belgrade's EuroPride organizers submitted a petition to the government seeking permission to hold the previously banned event, as far-right groups plan counter-protests.

The events include: the promotion of military graduates, the Formula 1 race, "Europride" and the walk of anti-globalists. The first event starts already at 10 a.m., the last two at 5 p.m., so it is clear that the capital will be under "siege" from the early hours of the morning.

Ljubljana – LGBT organisations in Slovenia expressed their disappointment and concerns over Serbia’s recent decision to ban the EuroPride march that was supposed to take place in Belgrade this year. This shows the negligence by the current Serbian government in its treatment of social minorities, they said.

Right-wing groups urge people to prepare for protests this Saturday, saying they fear the EuroPride march may still take place - despite Tuesday's police ban.

Organisers of EuroPride 2022 in Belgrade say they will challenge the ban in court and that Saturday's planned walk will go ahead.

As we were told, the route that the walk was supposed to take was banned.
Europride coordinator Goran Mileti commented on the news for B92.net and explained that "the walk is not banned, only the route has to change".
"Only the walking route is banned, not the walk. They cannot ban the walk. We will walk," Mileti told us, and announced the next steps.

The traditional walk, which the organizers insist on holding, is scheduled for Saturday, September 17, starting at 5 p.m. in front of the Serbian Parliament.