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rainbow is a symbol of the gay moment / Photo from www.embruns.net
Council of Europe
Asks Moscow to Lift
Gay Pride Ban
From MosNews.com from
the Web, March 30, 2006
President of the Congress of Local
and Regional Authorities at the Council, Giovanni di Stasi asked Yuri Luzhkov to
“review” his policy and allow the gay community to march in Russia in May as it
is entitled to, according to human rights conventions of free expression and
protection from discrimination, UK gay websites reported Thursday.
He said in a letter to the mayor, “The universal and inalienable nature of these
rights can never be in question, in this respect the Congress, of which I am
President, has long sought to improve the lot of minorities and vulnerable
groups at local and regional level and promote their full participation in all
aspects of civic society as valued and valuable citizens.
”The Congress was therefore concerned when it was recently brought to its
attention that a Gay Pride march, scheduled to take place in Moscow from 24 to
28 May this year, had been banned by the authorities.
“I would be very grateful, Mr Mayor, if you could envisage to review your
decision, and convey to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities further
information in this respect.”
The mayor’s spokesman, Sergey Tsoy, has previously insisted that the city would
never consider allowing a parade, “The Moscow government is not even going to
consider allowing a gay parade.” He claimed that the proposed event has
“provoked outrage in society, in particular among religious leaders.”
Tsoy said the mayor “was firm that the city government will not allow a gay
parade in any form, open or disguised, and any attempts to organize an
unsanctioned action will be resolutely quashed.”
The Council of Europe, the continent’s oldest political institution, promotes
human rights and democracy, it is separate to the European Union and was
established in 1949.
Russia takes presidency of the Council 10 days before the parade is due.
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