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Belgrade Gay Pride banned by the government

AFP - The organizers of the Gay Pride in Belgrade, banned by the Serbian authorities have said Saturday that the ban was a "giant step backwards" for human rights in the Balkan country that wishes to join the Union European.

"It's a sad day for Serbia. This is not one but a hundred steps backwards for human rights in this country," said Jovanka Todorovic, one of the organizers of prohibited the march, at a press conference.

Scheduled for Sunday, Gay Pride was banned Friday by the Serbian government has invoked security reasons.The decision was immediately described as "capitulation" by the organizers.

The authorities have also banned any other event during the weekend when two organizations ultra-nationalist Serbian Obraz (Honour) and Dveri, had announced plans to demonstrate against the Gay Pride.

"This is a defeat for all citizens of Serbia today are gay (which are covered), tomorrow, God knows what minority group," said Goran Miletic on the other hand, another organizer of the Gay pride.

The organizers of the march have indicated that they will soon prepare the parade in 2012 and they could sue the state before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

"This is the last thing we can do to protect our constitutional rights to justice," said Goran Miletic.

Instead of scrolling, the organizers of the march briefly stopped traffic Saturday on the main avenue in the center of Belgrade by deploying a pink banner with the message: "Love, normal."They made pots of paint in the colors of the rainbow, rainbow, symbol of the gay community.

There were no incidents, while police stood by the small group of protesters.

The ban on Gay Pride has been called "dark day for human rights" by the International Organisation for the Defence of Human Rights, Amnesty International.

"The Serbian authorities (...) gave in to pressure from right-wing splinter groups," Amnesty said in a statement, noting that the prohibition of the march was a "violation of the obligations of the Serbian government to ensure freedom of expression and rallies. "

This is the second time in three years of threats from ultra-nationalists have prevented the holding of the Gay Pride in Belgrade.

Last year, very violent clashes occurred between police and groups of ultra-nationalist movement, joined young football fans, violently homophobic. Some 150 people were injured, mostly policemen.

In 2009, Gay Pride was canceled at the last moment, the Serbian authorities do not declare themselves able to ensure its security.