Thu 4 Oct 2012 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A gay pride parade has once again been banned in Serbia, a move officials say is about trying to stop bloodshed, rather than being an attack on civil rights. The Serbian Orthodox Church had called for the government to prevent both the pride march and a planned photo exhibit called “Ecce Homo” at a Belgrade cultural centre, saying it was insulting to Christians. Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic told reporters the government was also stopping gatherings of groups that wanted to attack the march from gathering and cancelling soccer matches that might draw hooligans. Prade organiser Goran Miletic has responded by saying officials “completely adopted the arguments of extremist organisations, and even their demands”. The parade was also banned last year over threats of violence. A year earlier, the event went forward in Belgrade but opponents attacked participants with stones and Molotov cocktails and more than 100 people were injured.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 4th October 2012 - 5:11pm