MEP Viola von Cramon condemns attack on Tbilisi Pride festival

MEP Viola von Cramon on Thursday condemned an attack on the Tbilisi Pride festival on July 6, and called on responsible agencies in Georgia to protect the freedom of assembly in the country. 

 

The MEP also thanked the LGBTI Integrity Group – a cross-party group of 157 MEPs in the European Parliament – for their initiative to show support and solidarity with the LGBTQI community in Georgia. 

 

The members and supporters of the far-right, pro-Russian Conservative Movement on Saturday broke into the venue in the outskirts of Tbilisi where Tbilisi Pride, a domestic NGO promoting the rights of sexual minorities in Georgia, had scheduled a festival as part of a week-long pride week. 

 

Despite previous pledges of ensuring security to conduct the event, the law enforcement had to evacuate the festival participants, with Tbilisi Pride announcing a legal fight against the Interior Ministry, accusing the body of cooperating with the radical group.