More and more organisations are openly supporting Tbilisi Pride

Council of European Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a statement regarding Tbilisi Pride. The statement comes after the decision was made to hold Tbilisi Pride despite the active hate groups.

The statement reads, “All Georgians have the same human rights, and they should enjoy them free from discrimination. This means that everyone, including LGBTI people, must be protected from violence and hate speech, be able to exercise freedom of expression, and to conduct peaceful demonstrations”.

The Government previously offered the Tbilisi Pride organisers to hold the Pride in the closed space, but they insisted on having the Pride Outdoors. The location of Pride has not been made public for the safety purposes but one of the forum runners of the Pride Office has said the location is already agreed upon.

Members of the European Parliament’s LGBT Intergroup called on the European Commission, Federica Mogerin, Francis Timerman, Vera Jorova and the Government of Georgia to protect Pride in Tbilisi to defend the rights of the LGBT community and the peaceful demonstration.

“Despite the threat of ultra-right homophobic groups and the Orthodox Church, Georgia is planning to hold the first LGBT march in history, even though the Georgian Government refuses to adequately defend Tbilisi Pride on Saturday, June 22nd, and we welcome and support the dignity March for the fundamental rights. In addition, It is obvious that the Government should ensure the security of Pride, which is guaranteed by international law. The European Convention on Human Rights has repeatedly confirmed this. The existence of homophobic groups shouldn’t be a reason not to hold the march.

We ask that you intervene and send a strong message to the Government that we expect from them the full protection of human rights “- the statement says.

The statement from the European Commission’s also touched on death threats directed towards the Public Defender, Nino Lomjaria. The Commissioner welcomes the opening of an investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs into the threats against the Public Defender and hopes that their perpetrator will be promptly identified.

More organizations have come out to publically support the LGBTQI community since the topic of holding Tbilisi Pride became more widespread. Coalition for Equality will offer free legal assistance to the victims of homophobic or transphobic groups.

According to the statement made by the “Coalition for Equality,” the law enforcement agencies in most cases did not respond appropriately to the hate crimes and threats against the LGBTQI community.

“Violent homophobic groups have been mobilized in public space for the last few days. They are endangering LGBTQI people and everyone who can look unacceptable to them…As a result, the safety of LGBTQI people living in Georgia is at risk.”

10 non-governmental organizations working for “Coalition for Equality” work in emergency mode and, if necessary, will offer members of the LGBTQI community representatives and supporters legal assistance.

Members of the “Coalition for Equality” are: Open Society Foundation (OSFG), Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), Article 42 of the Constitution, Union “Sapari”, Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG) ), Partnership for Human Rights (PHR), Georgian Democratic Initiative (GDI), Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI), the Human Rights Center (HRC).

President of International Organization of Writers, Paata Shamugia has also publicly declared his support for the freedom of expression, assembly, and movement for LGBTQI community. He calls for writers, musicians, famous people to express public support.

“Do not be afraid to shake the social capital, to condemn violence. The principle of equality is much more important than your social capital. This is not a support for one specific group (but I support this particular group fully), it’s a support idea of the freedom of expression,” Paata Shamugia says in his statement.

Shamugia added that Ilia Chavchavadze, Vazha Pshavela and all those people who created the foundation of the Georgian state were fighting for this idea.

He also said that the country does not need armed aggressors with cheap toasts and combinations.

“The right of expression is the kind of blessing that has no exclusivity for any group; it is common for everybody living in this country. If someone does not understand this concept, it’s their problem and not of sexual minorities.”

During this week, multiple protests and public events will take place in the capital. Tbilisi Pride will take place despite these protests.