29 mar, 2010, kl 09:26

However, the Lithuanian hosting of Baltic Pride is threatened by fierce opposition from prominent political and social figures and organised homophobic groups. There is a real risk that the Pride March may yet be cancelled, or, if it goes ahead, that it will be marred by violence.

If the 2010 Baltic Pride does go ahead, it will be the first ever LGBT Pride to be held in the country.

LGBT people in the Baltic States need your support to make this happen.

Discriminatory law

Lithuania is obligated to fight discrimination under international human rights and European Union law. Despite this, Lithuania has recently adopted a law on the Detrimental Effect of Public Information on Minors which violates the freedom of expression and directly discriminates against people on account of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The law bans from places accessible to children any information which "denigrates family values" or which "encourages a concept of marriage and family other than stipulated in the Constitution and the Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania". As marriage is defined in Lithuanian law as the union of a man and a woman, any public promotion of same-sex partnerships, or advocacy for equality in marriage, would be prohibited under the new law. The law entered into force on 1 March this year.

Amnesty International is concerned that this new law will increase the stigmatization of LGBT people. There is also a risk that the law will used to ban Pride events. In March this year over 50 Lithuanian Parliamentarians signed a petition calling for the authorisation for the march to be revoked on the grounds that it would violate this new law.

Obstacles

Even though the Pride march has been authorized, the organizers still face a number of obstacles.  Discussions with the Vilnius City Council about the venue and security arrangements for the Pride march have been difficult, but are ongoing.  Initial discussions with the Vilnius City Police have been more constructive, but the precise security arrangements still need to be finalised.

There is a strong likelihood that this year's Baltic Pride will attract many counter-demonstrators, as was the case at previous Pride marches in Riga, Latvia.  There is also a risk of violence if marchers are not protected properly.  Effective security measures and adequate policing are therefore essential for the success of the march.

Pressure needs to be maintained to ensure that the possibility of violence is not used as a pretext to cancel the march and to ensure that, if it does take place, the safety of participants is guaranteed.

Violating human rights

The attempts to obstruct the 2010 Baltic Pride violate several human rights including the freedom of expression and assembly and the freedom from discrimination.  The Lithuanian authorities must not just allow the Pride march to take place, but must also ensure that participants are able to collectively and publicly express their views and identity without hindrance or the threat of violence from those that oppose them.

Amnesty International supports the 2010 Baltic Pride

Amnesty International supports the 2010 Baltic Pride and demands that the participants be able to march in safety in an appropriate and visible public location.

Over 50 Amnesty International activists from more than 20 countries will participate in the 2010 Baltic Pride to express the movement's support for the LGBT people of the region.