Deputy Interior Minister says law enforcement will “prevent violence” after right-wing organisers call for disruption of Tbilisi Pride Week
Organisers of the programme of the Week said this year’s edition would not involve public events or a march featuring LGBTQ community members, noting there was “no space for us to hold a March of Dignity”. Photo: Tbilisipride.ge
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Law enforcement will “prevent acts of violence” during the planned Tbilisi Pride Week, Georgia’s Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhveidze said on Wednesday after right-wing organisers from Alt-Info media outlet called for a “disruption” of announced events for marking LGBTQ rights starting later this month.
Darakhvelidze said police would prevent violence “in accordance with rules established by law” during the event, adding the Ministry had received information on the plans of the Pride Week organisers and would ensure safety of “all individuals who have the right of assembly and expression under law.”
Organisers of the programme of the Week said this year’s edition would not involve public events or a march featuring LGBTQ community members, noting there was “no space for us to hold a March of Dignity”.
We are still the only group [in Georgia] that is denied the freedom of assembly and demonstration,” Tbilisi Pride organisers said on Tuesday.
A planned march in July last year was cancelled after right-wing protesters assaulted journalists who had gathered in downtown Tbilisi to cover the event, leaving dozens injured. Law enforcement faced fierce criticism from a part of the public and Tbilisi Pride organisers for failing to prevent the violence.
The announcement was followed by a response on Wednesday from Alt-Info - whose members have organised or been involved in violent action against queer events over the years in Georgia - which said the group would call on “several thousand people” to “take to the streets to disrupt the festival.”
Alt-Info founder Konstantine Morgoshia said “the vast majority” of the Georgian population would “not allow” Tbilisi Pride and similar events” to take place.
Tbilisi Pride Week is scheduled to run between June 28-July 2 and include the screening of a new Georgian film on queer community topics, a regional conference and this year’s Pride Festival.