Organizers said they will March irrespective of the final decision

St Petersburg’s City Committee in charge of security told the organizers of the St Petersburg Gay Pride March that the permit for their public rally could not be given due to some rebuilding work on the proposed route.

But the Committee invited the organizers to consider submitting a new route and a different time.

“According to the law, an alternative route has to be offered by the authorities and not by the organizers” said Maria Efremenkova the Parade’s Chief organizer. “However, we said we are ready to negotiate with the authorities to ensure our action can take place legally and this is why we immediately submitted three new routes to the city hall”.

Asked whether the organizers would consider taking legal action in case of a denial Efremenkova answered:

 “We will get a reply on the new routes we proposed only three days before the March which will make it impossible for us to get court protection before the action but we will defend our interests up to the European Court of Human Rights in the next months if necessary.

“Once again, our aim is to be able to organize a legal action, but the March will take place irrespective of the decision of the authorities”

“Right to freedom of assembly is guaranteed in Russia by the article 31 of the constitution as well as the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights which are 2 international treaties ratified by our country”.

“Equality”, the St Petersburg based LGBT group behind the March said it received backing from several Russian-Belarusian LGBT groups including the organizers of Moscow and Minsk Prides.

In a joint statement released this week, InterPride, the International Association of Pride organizers and the IDAHO Committee called the Governor of St Petersburg to act according to the laws and International obligations of Russia and ensure the event can take place peacefully.

A Press conference has been announced for June 24 at 1pm to present the plan for the March.

Official site of the St. Petersburg gay pride:  www.spb-pride.ru

GayRussia.Ru