Out and about
21/06/2011
Submitted by
ILGA-Europe
Original article: http://www.sofiaecho.com/2011/06/17/1107563_out-and-about
Bulgaria’s capital city was set to see its fourth Pride Parade on June 18, with the now-customary endorsements from a number of foreign ambassadors but also concern about plans for a "nationalist" rally at about the same time.
Previous such parades have encountered problems in the form of homophobic hooligan attacks. The 2010 Sofia Pride parade took place with heavy security in place.
On June 13, at the start of Pride Week, eight ambassadors co-signed a letter of support for the Sofia Pride event.
"I would like to convey my support and the support of my country to all those who will participate in the fourth annual Sofia Pride March on June 18," the letter said.
"Unfortunately, in many parts of the world members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community continue to suffer from discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"No one should be persecuted or discriminated because of who they are or whom they love. By embracing diversity, promoting tolerance and fighting prejudice and discrimination we are striving to build a world where everyone can enjoy his or her fundamental human rights.
"I extend my appreciation to the organizers of the Sofia Pride March, and I hope that many people, both gay and straight, will join us in this cause. I wish everyone a successful and peaceful celebration," said the letter, signed by the ambassadors of the Netherlands, United States, Belgium, Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Slovenia.
Some of the funds for the parade were raised through an auction of works by Bulgarian artists, at an event co-hosted by the embassies of Belgium, Finland and the UK.
The event also has been supported by organisations including Amnesty International and the International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe (ILGA-Europe).
In a letter to Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova, ILGA-Europe called for authorities to step in to change the time and the route of the nationalist rally which is being organised by Blagovest Ivanov.
The letter also objected to the organisers of Sofia Pride having to pay for their own security. ILGA-Europe said that several decisions by the European Court of Human Rights showed that it was the responsibility of the state to protect people when they exercise their right to peaceful assembly.
A number of Sofia-based human rights and activists organisations wrote to Fandukova to call for the nationalist rally to be banned, quoting Bulgarian law that allows a mayor to ban a meeting or rally if there is reliable information that it will threaten public order or violate the rights and freedoms of others.
"The municipality has no right to once again risk the security of citizens, as it did in allowing the Ataka rally at the mosque in Sofia," the letter said, in a reference to the May 25 ultra-nationalist protest that ended in violence and arrests.
In a message to those coming to the parade, organisers issued a reminder not to carry any form of weapon, not to respond to provocations from people outside the rally and not to leave the parade before its official end.
Bulgaria’s capital city was set to see its fourth Pride Parade on June 18, with the now-customary endorsements from a number of foreign ambassadors but also concern about plans for a "nationalist" rally at about the same time.
Previous such parades have encountered problems in the form of homophobic hooligan attacks. The 2010 Sofia Pride parade took place with heavy security in place.
On June 13, at the start of Pride Week, eight ambassadors co-signed a letter of support for the Sofia Pride event.
"I would like to convey my support and the support of my country to all those who will participate in the fourth annual Sofia Pride March on June 18," the letter said.
"Unfortunately, in many parts of the world members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community continue to suffer from discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
"No one should be persecuted or discriminated because of who they are or whom they love. By embracing diversity, promoting tolerance and fighting prejudice and discrimination we are striving to build a world where everyone can enjoy his or her fundamental human rights.
"I extend my appreciation to the organizers of the Sofia Pride March, and I hope that many people, both gay and straight, will join us in this cause. I wish everyone a successful and peaceful celebration," said the letter, signed by the ambassadors of the Netherlands, United States, Belgium, Norway, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany and Slovenia.
Some of the funds for the parade were raised through an auction of works by Bulgarian artists, at an event co-hosted by the embassies of Belgium, Finland and the UK.
The event also has been supported by organisations including Amnesty International and the International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe (ILGA-Europe).
In a letter to Prime Minister Boiko Borissov and Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandukova, ILGA-Europe called for authorities to step in to change the time and the route of the nationalist rally which is being organised by Blagovest Ivanov.
The letter also objected to the organisers of Sofia Pride having to pay for their own security. ILGA-Europe said that several decisions by the European Court of Human Rights showed that it was the responsibility of the state to protect people when they exercise their right to peaceful assembly.
A number of Sofia-based human rights and activists organisations wrote to Fandukova to call for the nationalist rally to be banned, quoting Bulgarian law that allows a mayor to ban a meeting or rally if there is reliable information that it will threaten public order or violate the rights and freedoms of others.
"The municipality has no right to once again risk the security of citizens, as it did in allowing the Ataka rally at the mosque in Sofia," the letter said, in a reference to the May 25 ultra-nationalist protest that ended in violence and arrests.
In a message to those coming to the parade, organisers issued a reminder not to carry any form of weapon, not to respond to provocations from people outside the rally and not to leave the parade before its official end.
