Riga Duma did not allow annual parade of sexual minorities (Latvia)

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Riga Duma commission in charge refused to allow conducting of sexual minorities’ annual parade, Riga Executive Direction Deputy Head Andris Grinbergs informed the press on July 19 after the commission’s session was over, a REGNUM correspondent informs. It is worth reminding that “the pride” was prepared by Latvian Union of Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites, and Their Friends, non-governmental Ilga Latvijai organization of gays and lesbians, and Rīgas praids Society. According to Mr. Grinbergs, the decision was made unanimously by the commission’s members; at that, all aspects were taken into consideration, including information of Security Police concerning “possible threats, which may appear during the parade.” The official refused to explain the “possible threats,” mentioning that the information was classified, i.e. secret one, which may not be released. Meanwhile, as REGNUM has already informed, according to Interior Minister Dzintars Jaundžeikars (First party), law-enforcement institutions has information concerning persons, who are ready to throw Molotov cocktails at “the pride’s” participants.

As Mr. Grinberg assures, the commission was not pressed politically; growing protest of Latvian society against the parade did not influence it either. According to him, the parade’s organizers have the right to appeal against the Riga Duma’s decision at the administrative court. However, according to Latvian laws, the court will hardly be able to repeal the ban before July 22 because of lack of time for consideration. Possible ban after July 22 will hardly satisfy “the praid’s” organizers, although in any case their chances to achieve something are very small.