Serbian authorities have banned EuroPride, the pan-European gathering of the LGBTQ community due to be held in Belgrade on Saturday, sparking an outcry from organisers.
EuroPride is held in a different country every year, and this would have been Serbia’s first time hosting the event.
“The Serbian police banned this year’s EuroPride march by handing over the official notice to the organisers,” Belgrade Pride said. “Belgrade Pride will use all available legal means to overturn this decision.”
The interior ministry confirmed that the EuroPride march had been forbidden, as had a counter-protest on the same day. “Senseless conflicts on the streets of Belgrade would … endanger the safety of the participants of the march, as well as other citizens,” said the interior minister, Aleksandar Vulin.
Tensions have been mounting in Belgrade since the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vučić, called for the cancellation of the event late last month. He cited reasons including recent tensions with the former breakaway province of Kosovo and concerns over energy and food.
Goran Miletic, one of the event’s organisers, said the demonstration would go ahead despite the ban. “We will certainly get together and walk as planned,” Miletic said.
Gay marriage is not legally recognised in Serbia, where homophobia remains deep-seated despite incremental strides over the years in reducing discrimination.
Belgrade Pride marches in 2001 and 2010 were marred by violence and rioting after far-right groups targeted the events. Since 2014, the parade has been organised regularly but protected with a large law enforcement presence.
On Sunday, thousands of people took part in an anti-pride demonstration in Belgrade, with biker gangs, Orthodox priests and far-right nationalists demanding the EuroPride rally be forbidden.