EuroPride planning legal action against Serbia over cancelled Pride march
EuroPride is set to take legal action against Serbia for cancelling the event’s upcoming Pride march on 17 September. Back in 2019, Belgrade, Serbia secured the coveted hosting duties of EuroPride after a landslide vote. “This event will be of substantial importance when it comes to promotion of the respect of human rights of the LGBTQ+ community and all citizens of Serbia,” said the country’s lesbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the time.
However, since the end of August, the beloved event has been riddled with numerous setbacks. On 29 August, Serbian President Aleksander Vučić shocked the European LGBTQ+ community after he cancelled the highly anticipated event. “The Pride parade that was scheduled for the month of September will be postponed or cancelled, or whatever that miracle is called, it doesn’t matter.” Vučić also cited tensions with Kosovo, economic uncertainty, and threats from anti-LGBTQ+ extremist groups as part of the decision to cancel EuroPride.
On 13 September, the Serbian police confirmed the event’s cancellation when they announced their own ban on the parade’s route – which was due to “security concerns.” Over the last several weeks, far-right groups and religious organisations have voiced their opposition to the aforementioned event – with some even threatening violence against the community.
In response to the recent cancellation, EuroPride officials announced plans to take legal action against Serbia’s Police force. “Police have denied the appeal against the ban.
