“on behalf of freedom”, LGBTI community requires respect for rights

With the motto “on behalf of freedom”, Pristina squares today were filled with people and many colors. The LGBTI community through the Crenare Parade called for respect for their rights and freedoms.

For the second year in a row, this parade was organised in Kosovo, calling on institutions to respect the constitutional rights of this community, for a more diverse and democratic society.

Activist Lendi Mustafa said in this case they have joined in seeking freedom, remembering they have equal rights like any other community.

Hoping to enjoy their rights for a long time denied, Mustafa said they as part of society are growing stronger.

We invite all state institutions today not to deny our identity, offer equal opportunities, and fulfill their responsibilities for human rights and head towards a diversity society. Today we seek freedom for those who do not have freedom to break free from family and social pressure, freedom to be themselves to live a life of love, success and happiness, freedom to express ourselves as we are, freedom that many activists and activists, LGBT persons did not enjoy”, this activist said.

European Integrations Minister Gift Hoxha said that with her presence and many other supporters for the LGBT community, they are carrying the message that there is tolerance in Kosovo, and each citizen can feel free.

“Every citizen should feel free, to express their feelings, to express love, and it is also very likely that this year's motto “on behalf of freedom“, so we as a new state should also ensure that each citizen feels secure, to have each community enjoying its own rights”, she said.

The chief of the EU office in Kosovo, Natalia Apostolova, and other ambassadors also participated in this parade.

The ambassador of Great Britain to Kosovo, Ruari O'Connell, said today in Pristina squares they are celebrating freedom and love.

I am here today to celebrate freedom and love, these are two things to celebrate, and for me this is very important that most people here are from Kosovo, they are not foreigners, they are Kosovo society, they are also of the community, the love of itself”, the British ambassador has declared.

To support the LGBTI community parade, Pristina chairman Shpend Ahmeti had also emerged, as well as the chairman of the Alternative, Mimoza Kusari Lila.

Kusari-Lila said the right to sexual determination should be respected during 365 days of the year.

The right to choose must be fair, which is not only guaranteed by law but to be respected by each person. There's a wall still divided between the perceptions of the right of free choice of each individual in our society, but I think gradually that everyone should understand that above all is love”, has added Lila.

At the squares of the capital present were the forces of order, who were engaged in conducting the march.