Georgian patriarchate calls on MEPs, diplomatic corps not to support Tbilisi Pride
Top Georgian clerics say 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.’ Photo: Tbilisi Pride/Instagram archive
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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.
???? #TbilisiPride2021 will take place during 1-5 July, consisting of events, including: Queer Fest and March for Dignity.
— Tbilisi Pride (@TbilisiPride) June 4, 2021
❗On 5th of July we march for #Solidarity with partner social movements.
✊ Our #Pride is political and we need international solidarity as well. Join us! pic.twitter.com/Rle1zCGqfC
In its statement released earlier today, the patriarchate said the organisers of the pride make propaganda of nontraditional lifestyle aimed to ‘legalise a serious sin’.
We respect human rights and freedom, which naturally includes the freedom of choice”, the statement reads.
It however notes that the activities of Tbilisi Pride violate ‘the right, freedom and choice of the absolute majority’ of Georgians.
The patriarchate has therefore called on the Georgian government to ‘adequately assess the current situation’, ensure the stability and peace, and avoid destabilisation in the country.
The organisers of LGBTQ+ pride have also announced the March of Dignity, which in reality has nothing to do with dignity”, the statement further reads.
It adds as well that these activities do not aim to protect the interests of LGBTQ+ individuals but instead aim to trigger artificial aggression in return of ‘certain dividends’.
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
The Georgian Orthodox Church considers that the society should have the opportunity to see that the European democracy does not neglect the mindsets and lifestyle of the vast majority of the population and their religious feelings.
Yesterday thirty MEPs called for the Georgian Interior Ministry to ensure ‘sufficient and effective protection’ of Tbilisi Pride participants.
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.
Thirty MEPs have called for the Georgian Interior Ministry to ensure ‘sufficient and effective protection’ of Tbilisi Pride participants between 1-5 July.
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.
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.
The Georgian Patriarchate says the ‘drastic interference’ of foreign officials ‘in our public and spiritual life’ through supporting Tbilisi Pride events ‘is a matter of severe concern and [is] unacceptable’. The patriarchate has previously called on the members of the European Parliament and diplomats in Georgia to refrain from supporting and encouraging Tbilisi Pride.
NGOs and opposition politicians have stated that the inaction of the government and inflammatory statements by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili regarding the Tbilisi Pride march encourage violence by right-wing groups against civic activists and media representatives.
“The Georgian church has been the target of severe attacks from certain forces”, the Georgian patriarchate has stated earlier today, adding that the situation became ‘even more tense and aggressive’ in Georgian media following the July 5-6 demonstrations in Tbilisi.