Serbia cannot join EU until it protects LGBTQ community, says Belgrade pride director

Serbia cannot be an EU member if it persistently refuses to enact laws that protect the human rights of the LGBTQ+ community, Belgrade Pride Director told EURACTIV.

On Saturday, Belgrade hosted the Pride Parade, but the fact that physical attacks, hate speech, discrimination, and restrictions are a part of daily life for the LGBTQ+ community cannot be ignored.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people walked in the Parade, considered the largest so far in Serbia. A few people were arrested on unknown charges, but no larger incidents were reported.

As Goran Miletić, the director of Belgrade Pride, told EURACTIV, the Pride slogan “We are not even close” is a message sent not only to the LGBTQ+ community and the public but primarily to the authorities.

“This message urges them to finally start fulfilling demands that have often been recognised in the Action Plans of relevant ministries”.

Respect for the human rights of the LGBTQ+ community, warns Miletić, is relatively low in Serbia, which could jeopardise Serbia’s EU membership.

“Serbia cannot be an EU member if it persistently refuses to enact laws that represent an international obligation stemming from the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.”

The Ombudsman, Zoran Pašalić, told EURACTIV that in recent years, Serbia has improved the systemic protection of LGBTQ+ individuals through amendments to several legislative acts.

“A significant step in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals was made in 2021 through amendments to the Law on Gender Equality and the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination.”

When asked how the authorities in Serbia can contribute to creating a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Serbia, the relevant ministry says that it is necessary to address key challenges and risks.

“However, substantial improvement in the status of LGBTQ+ community members in Serbia requires a far more complex form of engagement. In this regard, it would be significant to further strengthen institutional mechanisms to protect human rights, such as the relevant ministry, independent bodies, and the judiciary,” they told EURACTIV.

(EURACTIV.rs | Jelena Jevtić)