Joint statement on the cancellation of the Tbilisi Pride

Joint statement by:

· the Chair of the Delegation for relations with the South Caucasus, MEP Marina KALJURAND,

· the European Parliament's Standing Rapporteur on Georgia, MEP Sven MIKSER, and

- the DEG Lead Member for Georgia, MEP Viola von CRAMON TAUBADEL

on the cancellation of the Tbilisi Pride

Strasbourg, 6 July 2021 - "We strongly condemn yesterday's violent attacks against civil activists, community members and journalists in Tbilisi, which regrettably forced the cancellation of the LGBTQI+ Pride March.

Unfortunately, the Georgian authorities and religious representatives failed to speak loud and clear against homophobic rhetoric in the run-up to the Pride March. We deplore the Georgian government's lack of readiness to guarantee the safety of this gathering devoted to tolerance.

Like any other citizens, LGBTQI+ persons should be able to enjoy their constitutional rights such as participation in peaceful gatherings.[...]