Council of Europe relieved to see LGBT events were able to take place in Tbilisi
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The Council of Europe is relieved to see that in the end events were able to take place in Georgia on May 17 and were protected by the police, says the statement released by the CoE spokesperson Daniel Holtgen today.
The statement was released as an addition to yesterday’s statement on events planned by Georgian LGBTI rights groups to mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) which were cancelled due to security concerns.
"LGBTI people should be able to enjoy the same rights as anyone else. Authorities need to make sure that all citizens, including LGBTI people, can exercise their rights to take part in peaceful demonstrations whilst being protected from violence. We are concerned about prejudice and discrimination against LGBTI people in Georgia, as in many other parts of Europe,” the earlier statement by CoE spokesperson said.
Despite the Equality Movement decided to cancel the planned rally some of the LGBT activists' groups gathered in front of the Chancellery of the Georgian government. Security measures were strengthened during the demonstration also attended by the Deputy Interior Minsiter and head of thr human rights department of the minustry.
Despite the strengthened security measures one of the demonstrator was attacked by one of the citizen who was later arrestwd by the police.
According to CoE Georgia has been rated by ILGA-Europe as the 33rd out of 49 European countries in terms of rights protection accorded to LGBTI persons.
Despite the guarantees the Ministry of Internal Affairs has given to the organisers of the rally for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, the Equality Movement has decided to cancel its rally today.
What’s May 17 like in Tbilisi?
Police have been on high alert since early morning today as May 17 features two events in Tbilisi: the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) and the Family Purity Day that the Georgian Orthodox Church launched in 2014 to coincide with IDAHOT.
The project will look at ways of combining legislative, capacity-building and awareness raising actions to ensure the appreciation of diversity in Georgia and the possibility for everyone to freely enjoy their rights.
The Council of Europe in Georgia has presented the findings of its study regarding hate crime, hate speech and discrimination in Georgia on the International Day for Tolerance marked worldwide today.
The police have arrested one man for a hate crime related to the sexual orientation of two individuals.
Georgian church urge cancellation of event
LGBT Pride Week is set to be held between June 18-23 in Tbilisi to raise the awareness about sexual minorities. The Georgian Patriarchate has urged the government earlier today not to allow the event to take place, “as it is known beforehand that the event will lead to unrest.”
LGBT activists left the territory of the Administrative building of the Government of Georgia on mini buses provided by the Interior Ministry after the six-hour peaceful demonstration on Friday. The activists demanded protection of their rights during the Tbilisi Pride, which is set to be held in Tbilisi between June 18-23 to raise the awareness about sexual minorities.
Police will ensure public order, safety and freedom of expression during the events marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in Tbilisi between May 15-20, the Interior Ministry says.