April 24, 2013
IGLYO
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO) is strongly condemning attacks and threats to LGBT activists in Macedonia.
The activists from ‘LGBT United’, a member organisation of IGLYO, were putting up posters about the human rights of LGBT people and a stroll with a rainbow flag in the town of Bitola, within the “Civic initiative for LGBT rights” project. Three activists were ridiculed and violently attacked by up to 7 individuals. The posters which promoted equality, non-discrimination and non-violence, were violently confiscated. Three activists were ridiculed, spat at, shoved, and hit with hands and posters on their faces and heads. While trying to call for help during this attack, the protesters were threatened with being killed. The violence was immediately reported to the local police in Bitola.
IGLYO is extremely concerned about the death threats which were made to the activists on LGBT United’s Facebook page. The three activists were visible in photographs taken during the public activities. These photos have been posted online on other Facebook pages within Macedonia.
IGLYO is calling on the Macedonian Ministry of Internal Affairs and Police to find the attackers and bring them to justice and to ensure the safety of LGBTQ rights activists. IGLYO is calling on the Macedonian Government to publicly condemn the violence and hate speech directed towards LGBTQ people.
IGLYO would like to remind the Macedonian Authorities of the 2012 European Union accession report on Macedonia, which is an EU candidate country. The report mentions that the anti-discrimination law is still not in line with legislation, legal acts, and court decisions of the EU and omits discrimination based on sexual orientation. It also calls on the Macedonian Government to amend this law to align it with the EU legislation.
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For more information please contact our Communications Officer Patrick Dempsey
on patrick@iglyo.com
