Memo: Statement of Commissioner Štefan Füle on banning the Pride Parade in Serbia

Commissioner for the EU Enlargement policy Štefan Füle regreted the decision of the Serbian authorities not to allow the Pride Parade march to be held in Belgrade on 28 September 2013, for the third year in a row, on security grounds.

Štefan Füle said that it is a missed opportunity to show respect for fundamental rights and expects the government of Serbia to take all necessary steps to investigate threats of violence directed against the Parade and to take necessary measures to ensure that the rights to freedom of assembly and expression are fully respected in the future.