UNDP welcomes law enforcement work ensuring Tbilisi Pride Week safety in hope event will mark “step forward”

The United Nations Development Programme issued a joint statement signed by diplomatic representations on Wednesday that welcomed the successful completion of the Tbilisi Pride Week and expressed hope the event would mark a “step forward” in ensuring LGBTQI+ community’s rights.

The statement expressed solidarity to the community and support for its right to exercise Constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly, while also thanking the Interior Ministry for ensuring safety for participants during Pride Week events.

It also urged the Government to take “further steps” to reinforce national commitments in the human rights area, including the adoption of a “robust National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan”.

The importance of a “proper follow-up” on last year's events, when right-wing activists assaulted and injured over 50 journalists who had gathered to cover the eventually cancelled Tbilisi Pride march in Tbilisi, was also highlighted in the statement.

The release also noted the “growing number” of Georgian citizens who welcomed diversity and acknowledged the importance of LGBTQI+ rights protection.

Issued by the UNDP, the statement was signed by the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, and embassies of the Czech Republic, France, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.