European Parliament's Intergroup appeals to Riga City Council not to ban Baltic Pride
On 2 April 2009 the European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights sent a letter to the Chairman of the Riga City Council, Janis Birks, asking him not to ban the Baltic Pride parade scheduled for 16 May.
“The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a recent case “Baczkowski and Others v. Poland” covering a very similar situation, ruled that even though the march is taking place after all, the fact that it is banned by city authorities represents an infringement of freedom of assembly under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The ECHR also affirmed that the positive obligation of a State to secure genuine and effective respect for freedom of association and assembly is of particular importance to those with unpopular views or belonging to minorities, because they are more vulnerable to victimisation,” states the letter to the chairman.
Members of the European Parliament also informed Janis Birks that they are aware of the letter he has recently received from the Coalition of Christian congregations in Riga which called for a ban of the march.
Commenting on this letter Euro–MPs pointed to the official position of the European Parliament adopted on 14 January 2009 in the resolution on “Fundamental rights in European Union”.
“European Parliament takes the view that discriminatory comments against homosexuals by religious, social and political leaders fuel hatred and violence, and calls on the relevant governing bodies to condemn them.”
A copy of the letter has been sent to Terry Davis, General Secretary of the Council of Europe.
The letter has been signed by the President of the Intergroup Michael Cashman, Vice–Presidents Sophie In´t Veld, Raúl Romeva, Lissy Gröner and Sirpa Pietikäinen.
