OSCE Mission voices support to Pride Week in Belgrade

BELGRADE, 8 October 2010 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos expressed today his support to the principles of observing fundamental rights and freedoms, underlying the Pride Week events that will end with a Pride Parade in Belgrade on 10 October.

"We reiterate our support for everyone's fundamental right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and protection from discrimination. The state authorities have acted to uphold the rights guaranteed by Serbia's Constitution and laws, as well as country's commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights," Kypreos stated.

"I am glad, that the time following the cancellation of the Pride Parade in 2009 was used for enhancing the dialogue between all relevant actors. The state institutions took some action against public voicing of the extremist attitudes," he remarked.

"We strongly encourage state institutions and civil society to keep working together to enable Serbia to advance further in the implementation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination. An ability of a social group to express its identity in an atmosphere free of hate speech, threats, or violent acts is a hallmark of a democratic society," said Kypreos.