MEPs call for Georgian gov’t to protect Tbilisi Pride protesters
Tbilisi Pride organisers have thanked MEPs for their support ahead of their events early next month. Photo: Tbilisi Pride.
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Thirty MEPs have called for the Georgian Interior Ministry to ensure ‘sufficient and effective protection’ of Tbilisi Pride participants between 1-5 July.
The statement says that the pride demonstrations are ‘peaceful tools’ for political advocacy and one way in which the universal right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is crystallised.
They are a hallmark of the LGBTI activist movement, a pillar for social visibility and they are equally political demonstrations during which the community voices its concerns, highlights its achievements and gives the opportunity to its members to demonstrate in favour of equality,” said the statement.
The MEPs said that the recent statement by the head of the Georgian Dream ruling party Irakli Kobakhidze that ‘it is advisable for Tbilisi Pride events to be cancelled’ is in contravention of universal rights.
30 MEPs call on Georgian authorities to protect Tbilisi Pride protesters and ensure their universal right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are effectively enjoyed. @GovernmentGeo @MIAofGeorgia https://t.co/sPv6sjdT9i pic.twitter.com/sVv0cmVBrj
— Mariam Kvaratskhelia (@mariamikvara) June 28, 2021
It is thus in this spirit of support that we address you, Minister (Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri), in order to ask not only that the Pride is, in line with the universal right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, effectively allowed, but also that all the preparations be taken so as to ensure the effective enjoyment of the manifestants’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, all the while availing themselves of authorities’ protection,” said the MEPs.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated earlier today that he thinks the conduct of Tbilisi Pride events 'is not reasonable.'
He stated that the events may be 'incorrectly used' by certain groups from both sides (those who support and oppose).
Kaladze said that freedom of expressed is 'absolutely ensured' under the Georgian Dream government.
Top Georgian clerics have stated that in a country where more than 90 per cent of the country’s population trusts the church ‘there is no place for Tbilisi Pride.’
Earlier in June right-wing businessman Levan Vasadze, who has recently founded political movement Unity, Essence, Hope urged the government to cancel Tbilisi Pride events.
In many countries LGBTI* can‘t demonstrate without fear. They need protection against the far-right.
— Rasmus Andresen ????????????️???? (@RasmusAndresen) June 28, 2021
Together with the @LGBTIintergroup , I called on Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri (@MIAofGeorgia) to ensure protection is given to #Pride protesters @TbilisiPride #TbilisiPride21 pic.twitter.com/tEogL25Adw
Vasadze said that the events will lead to destabilisation like in previous years.
We give time to the government until June 25 to cancel the events, otherwise people will react to the government’s decision,” Vasadze said.
He stated that Tbilisi Pride events and march on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi on July 5 will not take place anyway because people will gather there and will not allow ‘anti-Christian and anti-Georgian’ activities.
Members of the European Parliament addressing @MIAofGeorgia and @GovernmentGeo regarding the upcoming Tbilisi Pride week. https://t.co/7DGoOb03fG @LGBTIintergroup thanks a lot for the support and solidarity. much appreciated!#TbilisiPride21 #Georgia
— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) June 28, 2021
Right-wing activists and groups have already called on people to gather in central Tbilisi on July 5 to hamper the conduct of the Tbilisi Pride march.
Tbilisi Pride organisers say that the government is ‘always indifferent’ to LGBT issues and the violations of rights of sexual minorities.’
This year Tbilisi Pride events will include three main activities: the official premiere of March for Dignity, a documentary about the first-ever Tbilisi Pride Week in 2019,on July 1, the Pride Fest with local and international artists on July 3 and the Pride March for Dignity, co-organized by local social movements, on July 5.
Civic platforms No to Phobia, Coalition for Equality and other civic organisations have responded to statements by Irakli Kobakhidze, the chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party and David Sergeenko, member of the same party, which concern the pride parade planned by Tbilisi Pride and partner organisations to take place on July 5.
The head of the ruling Georgian Dream party Irakli Kobakhidze says that the organisers of Tbilisi Pride should not have planned the events 'considering the current situation in the country and the context.’
Right-wing businessman Levan Vasadze, who has recently founded political movement Unity, Essence, Hope, has urged the government to cancel Tbilisi Pride events between 1-5 July.
Tbilisi Pride, which was scheduled to take place earlier today, has been cancelled “due to increased threats”, as clerics, nationalist groups and their supporters have gathered at different locations in Tbilisi to prevent the march from taking place.
The Georgian patriarchate has called on thirty members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and diplomats in Georgia to refrain from supporting and encouraging Tbilisi Pride. Tbilisi Pride, a civic movement which opposes homo/transphobia and fights to overcome it through exercising the constitutional right of assembly and manifestation, has scheduled events for July 1-5.
The diplomatic corps and international organisations have express their solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals 'in support of equality and human rights for everyone in Georgia'.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has stated that the participants of Tbilisi Pride should use their constitutional right to free expression within the law. Zurabishvili said that violence and the use of hate speech is unacceptable in the country, which ‘has always been distinguished’ by its tolerance. Tbilisi Pride events, which aim to boost the public’s awareness of problems and needs of the LGBT community, begin today and are scheduled to be completed by a march in central Tbilisi on July 5.
Twelve individuals have been detained earlier today for trying to disrupt film screening on the first day of Tbilisi Pride. The Georgian Interior Ministry has released a statement earlier today, promising to ensure the safety measures during the pride by maintaining the rule of law and ensuring the right to the freedom of expression and assembly of each person.
Twenty individuals detained on July 1 for attempting to disrupt Tbilisi Pride events have been released today, reports the Georgian Interior Ministry.