Lesbians and gay men march to end prejudice
20 May 2008, 05:19PM
Amnesty International calls on governments in Europe to secure the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to celebrate their identity at a series of pride marches and other public events that take place each year between April and November.
"Equality before the law with no discrimination is the message that gay rights activists take to the streets. Yet more often than not they are prevented from doing so in safety," said Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at Amnesty International.
In a number of countries, mainly in Eastern Europe, participants in pride events too often face threats and official hostility even before they march. They are jeered, spat at, and pummelled with bottles, eggs, excrement, and fists by protesters, sometimes while police look on.
On 11 May, 60 would-be participants sought to travel to the Moldovan capital in defiance of a ban a pride march – the sixth time such a ban had been imposed. There, at least three times as many protesters surrounded their bus, forced open the doors, and seized their banners and flags while police watched from half a dozen patrol cars parked nearby.
Even the Eurovision Song Contest to be held on 20-24 May in Belgrade is not safe from anti-gay protesters. In Serbia, where safety concerns have prevented the Gay-Straight Alliance from organising a pride event, an extremist group had threatened violence against anyone they perceive as lesbian or gay at the event.
In a number of East European countries, some events are banned outright, in violation of international law. Authorities breach their obligations claiming security concerns and the violation of what they perceive as spiritual and moral values.
Amnesty International is campaigning for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to be free from physical and verbal attacks and threats; free to assemble and organise events; and be adequately protected by law enforcement officials.
At the end of this month for the second year running, Amnesty International activists from over 20 countries will take part in Riga’s pride march to display international support and solidarity. The march will be a test of how far respect for equality extends.
"Regardless of the obstacles thrown in their way, lesbian and gay activists are claiming their human rights. It is the duty of governments to deliver on their obligations," Nicola Duckworth said.
Further information
The Gay Pride march in Riga in 2005 was initially banned and then took place without adequate police protection. The 2006 march was banned and the authorities failed yet again to provide adequate police protection for the participants of an indoors meeting.
Last year over 400 people, including Amnesty International activists from across Europe, marched in a closed-off park in central Riga.
For the third year running this May, the Moscow city authorities have denied gay and lesbian activists permission to march. Appeals against the earlier bans are pending before the European Court of Human Rights.
In Croatia, groups will hold pride events in Zagreb at the end of June. In 2006 and 2007, even though the police officers assigned outnumbered the demonstrators by nearly two to one, they could not protect them from attacks during and after the marches.
In 2007, the mayor of Vilnius refused to give permission for an EU-sponsored anti-discrimination truck tour as part of a 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination' information campaign to make its planned stop in the capital of Lithuania. The Vilnius City Council also voted unanimously to ban a tolerance campaign rally in support of human rights of various groups, including the rights of lesbians and gay men. The European Commission criticized the bans.
Polish courts and the European Court of Human Rights found bans on pride events in Polish cities to be unlawful. The 2007 Warsaw parade drew a record 5,000 supporters and little protest, and a smaller march in Krakow went forward without major incident.
Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, and Serbia were among 54 states that, in 2006, signed up to a statement at the UN Human Rights Council expressing "deep concern at these ongoing human rights violations [against lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people]. The principles of universality and non-discrimination require that these issues be addressed."
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
genny
2 June 2008, 08:28PM
Firstly, let’s not get off the track here. My problem is with Amnesty International Australia not Gays, etc. Secondly, I’m afraid you’re completely naive -Amnesty International Australia has not lifted ONE SINGLE FINGER to help the plight of people systematically (!) sexually-abused, neglected, and falsely imprisoned in Psychiatric Hospitals. I know because I have asked them to be involved and they refuse. What evidence do you have that Amnesty is doing anything about this issue? Amnesty has FOOLED YOU. Harry Truman once described the U.N. Security Council as a ‘do nothing, good for nothing council’. He could be talking about Amnesty International re: this issue. And I doubt if Gays etc. hadn’t organised their own marches if Amnesty would have batted an eyelid for that either. You must hand Amnesty their issues on a plate, after all.
Marie-Pierre CLERET
2 June 2008, 05:36PM
Re comments by Genny: There is no question women are abused in psychiatric hospitals, and in all sorts of areas everywhere; Amnesty plays a significant role in combating this. Attacking Amnesty’s work on LGBT issues doesn’t need to be denounced because these other areas are still in need of a voice. Amnesty is hardly taking on a popular cause. Try living as a LGBT person anywhere where it’s illegal to be gay/ lesbian or transgender! Being LGBT is NOT a popularity issue! I live as one in a country and a city that is relatively accepting compared to the torment my brothers and sisters endure overseas. My friends are still getting bashed for walking in the street and being thought to be gay; I am still being verbally attacked and physically threatened when I walk down the street holding my partner’s hand. Wake up! I hope your self-righteousness is being put to good work somewhere in addressing the important area you raised.
genny
26 May 2008, 03:47PM
When will Amnesty International Australia spare a thought for the thousands of people who are severely mistreated, assaulted, discriminated against and often wrongfully imprisoned in the Psychiatric Hospitals of this country every year? Why does Amnesty merely call this humanitarian crisis a ‘health issue’? Why are these people ignored by Amnesty if not because Amnesty has deemed it too difficult and unpopular an issue? Why does Amnesty take on issues such as ‘violence against women’ but ignore the fact that 70% of women in psychiatric hospitals in this country are sexually assaulted whilst in so-called ‘care’ (according to a recent report in The Age newspaper)? Does Amnesty expect these people to hold a ‘Pride March’ before Amnesty lifts its head and feigns attention ?
I. Singh
24 May 2008, 01:00PM
Action of the kind outlined in the article is a key reason I joined Amnesty and remain a member. I do not think that the people suffering this kind of persecution feel ‘popular’. If the comment above includes a perception that removal of discrimination against gay/lesbian/transgender and intersex people has widespread support in the media and action groups alike, then that is great - a sign that the actions of groups like Amnesty may be making a difference and should keep up the pressure for change.
Genny
21 May 2008, 04:26PM
Amnesty International Australia only want to support ‘popular’ issues to get ‘big media’ attention while genuine issues that need real support now are treated with boredom and discourtesty by Amnesty. The core values of the organisation are compromised and even basic Etiquette and decency is a joke in your Organisation. I’m happy for the gays of Europe, but sad for all the issues yet to ‘break’ that Amnesty ignores, pretending it is a organisation that cares about prisoners of conscience.
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