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Gay News: US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has praised the Serbian police for protecting last weekends Gay Pride event in Belgrade.
By: Nigel Robinson
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton
Clinton praises police at Belgrade Pride
13 October 2010
More than a hundred people were injured during the Pride event on 10 October when far-right and nationalist demonstrators tried to halt the Parade and threw petrol bombs at police and gay rights activists.
“I especially want to commend the bravery of the police who provided security for the event at last Sunday’s Pride Parade,” she told Serbian President Boris Tadic during a visit to Belgrade.
“It was not easy and yet we watched as the official law enforcement forces demonstrated unequivocally your support for the rights of all.”
Replying to Clinton, Tadic said: “My personal attitude and my political attitude is that by protecting the rights of every single individual only then can we defend the foundations of democracy, only then can we have a free society and a prosperous society.”
Clinton’s comments follow the European Parliament’s condemnation of the homophobic violence at Belgrade.
“The European Parliament affirms its strong opposition to homophobia, no matter whether it takes place inside or outside the EU,” its President Jerzy Buzek said yesterday.
“Homophobia is a breach of human dignity that questions fundamental rights and must be strongly condemned.
“The perpetrators of the clashes with their acts go against a number of central values of the European Union. Those marching were there to celebrate the values of tolerance, freedom of expression and assembly.
“I would like to thank the authorities and the police in particular, for preventing further violence. The perpetrators of this violence must be held fully accountable.”
Serbian state prosecutors have also opened a criminal investigation against Mladen Obradovic, leader of the far-right Obraz group, who is suspected of orchestrating some of the violence.
If charged and convicted he, and another 130 people under investigation, could face up to twelve years in prison.
