Nordic Council: Outrageous to stop Baltic Pride
The Nordic Council President, Helgi Hjörvar, has reacted strongly to a court decision in Vilnius on Wednesday to put a stop to Baltic Pride 2010, which was scheduled to take place in Vilnius on 8 May.
"Banning a Pride march is a violation of both freedom of speech and freedom of association, which we must strongly oppose," says Helgi Hjörvar, President of the Nordic Council.
- Photographer
- Johannes Jansson/norden.org
"It is important for the Nordic Council that ongoing co-operation between the Nordic countries and three Baltic States is based on core values such as democracy, freedom of speech and human rights", said Helgi Hjörvar, President of the Nordic Council.
Baltic Pride is a joint manifestation of homosexual, transsexual and bisexual people in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
"Banning a Pride march is a violation of both freedom of speech and freedom of association, which we must strongly oppose," says Hjörvar.
The Nordic Council has collaborated with the three Baltic countries since 1990, which among other things, has resulted in official Nordic offices in all three Baltic capitals.
A court in Lithuania's capital Vilnius decided on Wednesday 5 May the Baltic Pride 2010 should not be allowed to take place on 8 May on the grounds that the march would constitute a threat to law and order. The decision has been appealed.
Contacts
Silje Bergum Kinsten
Phone
+45 33 96 02 51
Email
siki@norden.org
