Belarussian authorities ban Minsk gay pride

The pride march planned by LGBT communities in Minsk, Belarus, did not receive the city authorities’ approval for tomorrow, Saturday 15th May.

Although the organisers applied months earlier, the parade was banned on grounds of worrying proximity to a metro station and underground pedestrian passage. Its organisers have openly criticised the choice of local authorities to wait until one week ahead of the event to announce the march would not be authorised. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, left requests to allow the event unanswered.

The European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights condemns the Belarussian authorities’ refusal to issue a permit for the event, and calls upon local and national Belarussian authorities to ensure that the Slavic Pride 2010, as well as future pride events in Belarus, be allowed.

Belarus has not yet ratified the European Convention on Human Rights, and has yet to become a full member of the Council of Europe.

Belarus is part of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy.