July 2023

The members of Tbilisi Pride brought in front of the Parliament the items destroyed by the violent groups on the territory of the festival. They claim that the items are evidence of a raid by Alt Info on the area, and the police did not prevent it, on the contrary, they encouraged it.

Yesterday, on July 8th, the Tbilisi Pride festival was canceled due to safety risks. Pride members were evacuated from the area around Lisi.

According to Pride, “the events indicate that the attack was pre-coordinated and agreed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the violent group Alt-Info”.

The violent groups initially gathered near the Vazha-Pshavela monument and marched to the festival area. The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not arrest any of the participants of the rally to prevent this confrontation. The situation between the police and the violator became tense right near the festival area. After the evacuation of the Tbilisi Pride members, they invaded the territory.

Lawyers say that the Ministry of Internal Affairs deliberately did not protect the festival area.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, in terms of canceling the Pride Festival, states that the terms guaranteed by the constitution in the country have been violated.

At an emergency briefing, she stated that people were not allowed to hold a pre-planned event at the private territory.

“Today, in our country, the terms guaranteed by our constitution were violated. Everyone’s right to express an opinion should be protected, this is the 17th article of our constitution, together with the freedom of assembly, which is the 21st article. Today, both were violated, because people were not allowed to hold a pre-planned event at an agreed-upon place and conditions, for which the law enforcement structures had given a promise to protect, and thus, all necessary measures had to be taken.

I would like to underline that protecting the right to assembly means holding the event and not emptying the place as if safety could not be provided otherwise. In this form and with this motive, we can imagine that all the events, the form or content of which will not be acceptable for any radical group, will probably fail if the law enforcement authorities act in the way they acted today”, said the President.

According to her, it is alarming that the contraction was encouraged and openly supported by members of the ruling party.

“What is even more alarming here is the reality that this contraption was instigated, and openly supported by posts spread on social networks, not only by representatives of various branches of the ruling party but also directly by the party’s active deputies, as we saw today. So what should be the value of the urgent statements that we have just heard by the officials who are primarily in charge of protecting human rights, the Speaker of the Parliament and the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, who assure us that they are defenders of rights – it means that they are saying one thing, but doing another”.

“Actually, by inciting these contractions and not condemning these actions or hate speech, the ruling party, the majority of the parliament, is encouraging the violence and should take the responsibility for all the results”, Zurabishvili said.

She called upon the Ministry of Internal Affairs to stop all violent actions, and the ruling team to stop using hate speech.

Today, on July 8, the final event of the Tbilisi Pride Week – the festival was supposed to be held at Lisi, but it was canceled due to safety risks.

According to Pride, “Today’s events indicate that the attack was pre-coordinated and agreed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the violent group Alt-Info”.

Tbilisi Pride Festival was canceled due to safety risks. Pride members have been evacuated from the area around Lisi and are safe.

According to Pride, “Today’s events indicate that the attack was pre-coordinated and consensual between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the violent group Alt-Info”.

The violent groups initially gathered near the Vazha-Pshavela monument and marched to the festival area. The Ministry of Internal Affairs did not arrest any of the participants of the rally to prevent this confrontation. The situation between the police and the violator became tense right near the festival area. After the evacuation of the Tbilisi Pride members, they invaded the territory.

Lawyers say that the Ministry of Internal Affairs deliberately did not protect the festival area.

The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, calls on the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the Pride Festival and the freedom of speech and expression of the participants, which is protected by the Constitution.

According to Zurabishvili, at her behest, the advisor of the president will attend the festival.

The President of Georgia believes that freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental human right, and anything that contradicts this principle is unacceptable! Violence and encouragement of violent groups are not allowed.

The President of Georgia calls on the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the “Pride Festival” and the freedom of speech and expression of the participants, which is protected by the Constitution.

“Pride Festival” will be attended by the president’s adviser on human rights issues, according to the statement.

The festival will start today at 14:00.

Episcopal Congregation in Georgia supports the Tbilisi Pride event. This is mentioned in the statement of the church.

“We support the Tbilisi Pride event as a manifestation of freedom of expression and the dignity of the LGBTQ community.

Christ is with the suffered ones, not in the tormentors. So is his church – next to the suffering and excluded.

Our message to the participants of Tbilisi Pride is that nothing can separate you from the love of God, and our church will try to be the giver of this love to you. “Stay in my love”. John 15:9,” the statement said.

The final event of the Pride Festival will be held tomorrow, July 8th.

Publication available here.

The 3rd International LGBTQ+ Conference was held on July 6th as a part of Tbilisi Pride Week.

At the conference, LGBTQ+ activists, human rights, democracy, disinformation, and security experts discussed the situation of LGBTQ+ human rights and equality, LGBTQ+ disinformation, anti-gender movements, and the backsliding of democracy.

Speakers at the conference included people from Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Belarus, Hungary, North Macedonia, Germany, Belgium, and Great Britain.

The week will end with the Pride Festival on July 8.