Holding of gay Pride Parade still uncertain

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- According to EU officials, the holding of the gay Pride Parade in Belgrade could help Serbia on its EU pathway.

A scene from one of the previous Pride Parades in Belgrade (file)

They stress, however, that the country?s EU accession process will not be halted if the parade is not held.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Da?i? said earlier that the government would soon, based on security and risk assessments, decide whether Pride Parade would be held or not.

Organizers, who say they are ready and that the parade will not be cancelled, have received support from Serbian Health Minister Slavica ?uki?-Dejanovi?. She noted that the Pride Parade ?would not hurt Serbia?s reputation?.

?Pride Parade is not a condition for getting a date (for the beginning of the EU accession talks). It is not. But I think that it is clear to everyone that mature European societies, the most developed ones, will see it as the right message from Serbia,? European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin has said.

He stressed that he had already booked a plane ticket to Belgrade for October 6, adding he believed he ?will have an opportunity to take part in the walk?.

MEP Eduard Kukan said that the holding of the Pride Parade ?is not some obstacle? on Serbia?s EU pathway but that the fact that it was organized, banned or cancelled ?is taken into account when we discuss human and minority rights?.

?Of course, the organization of the parade could help you,? Kukan noted.

The participants of the parade will gather at 10:00 CET in Manje? Park in downtown Belgrade on October 6 and the walk will begin at 11:00, organizers say.

The Dveri Movement has already announced it would organize a protest walk on October 6 and urged the authorities several times to ban the gay parade.

Source: http://www.b92.net//eng/news/society-article.php?yyyy=2012&mm=09&dd=29&nav_id=82413

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