Riga Pride march ban is wrong
Statement by Michael Cashman, MEP, 20 July 2006
Labour MEP Michael Cashman has reacted with anger at the decision by authorities in Latvia to ban this year’s Pride march which was scheduled for this Saturday (22nd July).
After hearing that Riga City Council had refused a permit for the march because of threats of violence from extremist groups Mr Cashman said:
“By acquiescing to these extremist groups, the authorities are condoning homophobic discrimination. Moreover the authorities are denying the Latvian LGBT community their basic rights of freedom of expression and assembly.”
“Instead of banning the march, the Riga authorities should be denouncing those who are intent upon violence. Intolerance, discrimination and violence against homosexuals has no place in our 21st Century world.”
Last month the Latvian parliament came under fire when it voted to remove discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in employment from new employment legislation. Passing such a law was one of the pre-conditions for Latvia's accession to the EU back in 2004.
Michael added:
“If politicians in Latvia want to continue enjoying the benefits that membership of the EU brings then they should abide by the rules. The iron curtain came down over a decade ago. People’s human rights can no longer be disregarded.”
The European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights has tabled a Parliamentary question to the European Commission calling for urgent action against the Latvian Authorities to ensure that the march is authorised. It also calls on the Commission to start infringement proceedings against Latvia for the failure to implement the Employment Equality Directive.
