Serbian authorities moved to block a significant EuroPride 2022 event, cancelling a planned national anthem celebration and a central Pride march in Belgrade that had been billed as the festival’s flagship moment for the weekend. Organizers described the decision as a key obstacle to the event, raised by the security services and backed by political leadership concerns about public order and safety.
The European Pride Parade Organizers Associations, which coordinates major LGBTQI+ demonstrations across Europe, indicated that the Belgrade event was prohibited on security grounds. They criticized the apparently last minute cancellation as a sign of political failures and warned of potential counter-protests. The memo stated that all available legal avenues would be pursued to challenge the ban and to seek alternative arrangements, although the Serbian Interior Ministry had yet to publicly confirm the decision.
Kristine Garina, head of the EPOA, noted that previous bans on Belgrade Pride had been ruled unconstitutional by courts in the past. Garina expressed confidence that the judiciary would reach a similar conclusion again, stressing the importance of protecting peaceful assembly and LGBTQI+ rights as a matter of justice for the Serbian public and the broader European community. The leadership also emphasized that the fight for equal treatment is not merely a matter of rhetoric but a practical commitment to the rule of law.
The Serbian government faced pressure from activists and international observers alike. It was reported that Prime Minister Ana Brnabić would participate in a human rights-themed conference during EuroPride 2022, with questions anticipated about the government’s compliance with commitments made during Belgrade’s bid to host the event in 2019. Critics argued that the ban undermined those assurances and signaled a reluctance to safeguard basic freedoms for LGBTQI+ citizens and allies.
Garina condemned the move as an outright failure of political leadership and an affront to fundamental freedoms. She insisted that no government should yield to threats or intimidation and called on Belgrade residents and visitors to stand in solidarity with LGBTQI+ communities. Despite the restrictions, thousands of supporters were expected to gather to show their support for equality and human rights, underscoring the resilience of the Pride movement in the face of opposition.
EuroPride 2022 began with the symbolic raising of the rainbow flag at the seat of the Serbian government in Belgrade. The festival is slated to run through the week, featuring more than 130 concerts, human rights conferences, exhibitions, and a roster of cultural and educational events across multiple venues in the city. The aim of the program is to highlight LGBTQI+ rights, promote inclusive policies, and engage local communities in conversations about dignity and protection from discrimination. Reports indicated continued planning for alternative program logistics to ensure that participants could engage with the festival under safe and lawful conditions, with organizers urging people to participate in a peaceful and unified display of support for equality across the region.