Lithuania must let Baltic Pride go ahead
Following a court decision to suspend the 2010 Baltic Pride, hundreds of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) rights activists, including over 50 Amnesty International members from over 20 countries, risk being prevented from marching in Lithuania’s first ever Pride march, scheduled to take place on Saturday 8 May.
UA: 106/10 Index: EUR 53/005/2010 Lithuania Date: 05 May 2010
URGENT ACTION
LITHUANIA MUST LET BALTIC PRIDE GO AHEAD
Following a court decision to suspend the 2010 Baltic Pride, hundreds of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual
and transgender (LGBT) rights activists, including over 50 Amnesty International members from
over 20 countries, risk being prevented from marching in Lithuania’s first ever Pride march,
scheduled to take place on Saturday 8 May.
The Vilnius City Administrative Court today temporarily suspended the 2010 Baltic Pride march, following an
application by the Lithuanian Attorney General to withdraw its authorization on account of the risk of clashes with
counter-demonstrators. The Vilnius City Police insists that it has made the necessary security arrangements to
guarantee the marchers’ security.
International human rights law places a positive obligation on states to ensure that individuals and groups are able
to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly free from the threat of violence or disruption.
Security threats emanating from counter-protesters should be policed effectively, rather than used as a pretext to
ban public events.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in English or your own language:
Calling on the Lithuanian President to ensure that the Baltic Pride March goes ahead as authorized and ensure
that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly of LGBT rights activists are respected.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 8 May 2010 TO:
President of Lithuania
Dalia GRYBAUSKAITE
President of the Republic of Lithuania
Office of the President
Simono Daukanto a. 3,
LT 01122 Vilnius
Vilnius
Republic of Lithuania
Fax: +370-5-266-4145
Email: info@president.lt
Salutation: Dear President
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending
appeals after the above date.
UA: 106/10 Index: EUR 53/005/2010 Issue Date: 05 May 2010