Scheduled to be held in the centre of Belgrade on Sunday 20 September, the Pride March was cancelled by the Serbian authorities due to high security risks and a lack of cooperation from the State and the police to secure the event.

"This Pride March should have been an important step forward for Human Rights in Serbia, who was already welcomed for adopting an anti-discrimination Law earlier this year. Instead, by failing to guarantee the right to a peaceful demonstration for LGBT people, Serbia has shown that it is not ready to become a Member of the EU', said Michael Cashman, President of the European Parliament's Intergroup of LGBT rights.

“Serbian authorities have given in to threats of violence from neo-fascist groups, sending a message that the centre of Belgrade is controlled by an violent mob, not the government and the police. The events of the last few days demonstrate that the Serbian authorities should fill the legal gap by prohibiting and punishing incitement to violence”, said ILGA-Europe’s Programmes Director Maxim Anmeghichean, who was present in Belgrade.

The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT rights will be asking the Commission to take action.

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