ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - "Iskorak" and "Kontra", the two associations that organised last Saturday's gay parade "Gay Pride" in downtown Zagreb, said on Monday they would press charges against unidentified perpetrators who beat at least
15 people at the parade, and urged the police to find and process the perpetrators as soon as possible.
ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - "Iskorak" and "Kontra", the two
associations that organised last Saturday's gay parade "Gay Pride"
in downtown Zagreb, said on Monday they would press charges against
unidentified perpetrators who beat at least 15 people at the
parade, and urged the police to find and process the perpetrators as
soon as possible. #L#
"Kontra" president Sanja Juras told reporters today charges would
be pressed for the infliction of serious injuries, violent
behaviour, disturbance of peaceful gatherings, and the persecution
of organisations and individuals supporting the equality of
citizens.
She said the police had provided good security during the parade,
but that most policemen dispersed after the event, leaving some
critical spots in the city unprotected.
Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) director Tin Gazivoda believes
Interior Minister Sime Lucin is responsible for the violence at the
event. He welcomed Lucin's support for the parade, but added it was
more important to guarantee better security for the participants.
He warned the police still did not treat the issue of skinheads and
other extremist groups adequately because they did not link them
with organised violence.
"It is a small step from inflammatory language to violence and the
incumbent authorities are responsible because they lack the
courage to punish violence, xenophobia, and all forms of
extremism," Gazivoda said.
Other speakers at the press conference, too, believe the police
should be held accountable for failures and start treating similar
attacks as organised violence and crime.
(hina) rml