UN, CoE, embassies support LGBTQI+ community in Serbia

Prajd, Parada ponosa, gej, zastava
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The United Nations, Council of Europe and 10 Belgrade-based embassies expressed support on Friday for the rights of the LGBTQI+ community in Serbia prior to the Belgrade Pride Parade 2021.

A joint statement said that “international organizations and diplomatic missions in Serbia join hands with the LGBTQI+ community in Serbia and beyond under the banner “Love is Law” and expressed “support for the human rights, freedoms and equality of LGBTQI+ people as an essential part of our societies”.

The statement recalled that the first Law on Same-Sex Unions has been drafted and discussed in Serbia with the participation of civil society, the LGBTQI+ community and senior political leaders. “This is a significant step towards a transformative legislation that promotes and protects fundamental human rights of many people in the country, in addition to the realization of Serbia’s international commitments in the area of human rights,” it said and added that the final step in the process would be the prompt adoption of this law which would confirm the commitment of the Government and society to human rights in all areas of life and to combating social stigma and discrimination.

The statement was signed by the US and CoE offices in Belgrade and the embassies of the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Australa, US, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Norway and Canada.