Last Monday (28 August 2006), the court of the Riga Vidzemes district fined three hooligans who took part in illegal and violent protest activities during the Riga pride on 22 July 2006.

by Detective Superintendent Irmeli Krans

Last week the General Prosecution Office asked to end administrative cases against the Riga Pride protesters and to forward the materials to the Prosecution Office for starting criminal processes.

This is the second of a two-part article. Last week, Outlook looked at the NewGenerationChurch, which has been linked to the violent protests that marred the gay pride festival in Riga on July 22.

We are writing you to urge the Finnish Presidency of the European Union to give serious consideration to the recent blows to democracy in the EU member state Latvia in connection with the banning of the Gay Pride March in Riga last week.

Today the court of the Central District of Riga heard 6 administrative cases against those anti-gay hooligans who took part in protest activities and threw tomatoes, eggs and excrements at participants of the service at the Anglican Church of Riga during the LGBT Pride on 22 July. Four protesters were sentences to a penalty and two protesters were acquitted.

The Baltic Times article on New Generation, a non-denomation sect which was one of the vocal protesters against LGBT Pride March last and this year.

Here you can view images from various events around Riga Pride:

Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis (People's Party) has decided not to demand Interior Minister Dzintars Jaundzeikars' (Latvia's First Party) resignation.

President of Latvia defends lesbians and gay men in an interview to the Austrian Die Presse

With regard to the developing situation in connection with the march planned by sexual minorities "Rigas Praids 2006", Foreign Minister Artis Pabriks has sent a letter to senior Latvian officials and to the non-governmental organisations involved.

By Ivan Arenas, participant of Riga Pride 2006

Latvian gay pride meetings assaulted by fascists, By DOUG IRELAND, 27 July 2006

Statement by Human Rights Watch, 26 July 2006

The Baltic Times, 26 July 2006

The Baltic Times, 26 July 2006

by Peter Tatchell who also took part in Riga Pride

By Gaston Lacombe, Chair of Mozaika, alliance of LGBT people and their friends

Statement by Baroness Sarah Ludford, MEP, the Liberal Democrat spokeswoman on European justice and a Member of the European Parliament’s ‘Intergroup’ on gay and lesbian rights.

Report by Arthur Thiry, Co-President of the European Forum of Lesbian and Gay Christian Groups, who took part in Riga Pride 2006.

Statement by Amnesty International, 24 July 2006

Statement by the European Green Party and Ulrike Lunacek, spokesperson for the European Green Party, Member of the Austrian Parliament, who took part in the Riga pride 2006

Statement by Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe

It was, ironically, the one event during Riga Gay Pride that escaped the attention of the ultra-right. A small group travelled the 20 kilometres to the Salaspils Memorial on the site of the notorious Nazi concentration camp Kurtenhof.

This is an open letter from a founding member of Mozaika, an alliance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and their friends, the organisation that co-ordinated the Riga Pride and Friendship Days. It is a moving first person description of what happened on Saturday. It is unedited.

Statement by Human Rights Watch, 22 July 2006

Largest French paper Le Monde on Riga Pride, 22 July 2006

Statement by Sophia In't Veld, MEP who took part in Riga Pride, 22 July 2006

Statement by Mozaika, Alliance of LGBT People and Their Friends, 21 July 2006

J’appelle les autorités de l’Union, et les pays européens, à condamner fermement la duplicité des autorités lettonnes qui, d’une part, excitent les haines homophobes et d’autre part interdisent la tenue de la Gay Pride pour « raison de sécurité ». C’est une attitude inacceptable au sein de l’Europe. L’Union européenne n’est pas qu’un système d’aides financières : c’est d’abord un ensemble de valeurs. La Lettonie doit garantir à ses citoyens LGBT la libre revendication de leur identité et de leurs droits, en toute sécurité. C’est un devoir. J’exprime ma profonde solidarité avec tous ceux qui, en Lettonie, sont victimes de l’obscurantisme.

I give all my support to the disappointed gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in Riga, people who have been denied to have the chance to host a Pride.

Don't give up. You are on the right side of history.

A country should consider the Pride as a medal to wearso as to declare equality, freedom and justice.

You efforts will be rewarded.

Love

It is deeply regrettable that yet another Eastern European city is wanting to deny its gay community the right to hold up its head without shame and without fears of violence. Having seen the ugly face of homophobia in Moscow this spring I commend your courage in standing up for your rights. Even if the pride does not take place, be proud that you are making a stand against prejudice in Latvia.

I wish you all well.

Dear Friends in Riga,

I strongly support your efforts for the Gay Pride 2006 in Riga.

I am scandaliced and disappointed that the City of Riga has decided to ban your demonstration.

This administrative action is not in accordance with the European Human Rights Convention and neglects the democratic standards of the European Union.

My hope and demand is that the Courts of Latvia will correct this decision according to international Law.

With my best wishes

I am deeply sad by the reaction of the City authorities not to allow the Riga Pride to go ahead. The IDAHO Committee expresses all its solidarity with Latvian gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender in their fight for freedom and equality. We do hope that one day Latvia will join France, Belgium and the European Parliament and recognize the day against homophobia.

InterPride, the International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Coordinators, stands strong with you and MOZAIKA in your effort to hold an LGBT Pride Celebration. In the ongoing struggle for Human and Civil Rights in this world, a government should stand with the oppressed, and not with the oppressors. It is unconscionable that the government of Riga has refused you a permit for a peaceful demonstration of human dignity and pride. We urge you to continue the fight to hold your event. No country has ever granted the LGBT community its rights without a struggle, and in many places the effort must continue for years before success is achieved. All the organizations in InterPride understand that the fight is not over any where until our equality is achieved everywhere. InterPride supports all our members, current and future in their local struggle. We look forward to the day when LGBT Pride is held in Riga without reservations.

Statement by Amnesty International, 20 July 2006

Statement by Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the President of Latvia, prior to the Riga Pride 2006

CNN news item on ban of Riga Pride March

Statement by Michael Cashman, MEP, 20 July 2006

Statement by Mozaika, alliance of LGBT People and Their Friends, 19 July 2006