The Estonian Human Rights Center criticized the decision of the Viljandi authorities not to allow a public LGBT event in the city, planned as part of Baltic Pride.
According to the Human Rights Center, the incident in Viljandi shows that the protection of human rights depends not only on laws but also on the willingness of politicians and society to respect the rights of all people.
"Sexual and gender minorities are part of a democratic society, and it is extremely reprehensible that the authorities in Viljandi banned an event that was fundamentally about the peaceful display of the rainbow flag — a symbol of visibility and equal rights for LGBT+ people," the center stated on social media.
The center added that it finds the actions of the Isamaa and EKRE coalition in Viljandi regrettable and accused the city authorities of creating a hostile atmosphere.
The Viljandi city administration did not grant permission for the event scheduled for June 1, during which a large rainbow banner was to be unfurled in Freedom Square (Vabaduse plats). The city justified its decision, among other things, by claiming that the event allegedly does not meet societal expectations and that June 1 is Children's Protection Day.
Baltic Pride will take place this year from June 1 to June 7, with events planned not only in Viljandi but also in Tallinn, Tartu, and Narva.
The opinion of the bb.lv editorial team: Why did the problem with Baltic Pride arise specifically in Viljandi? There are likely several versions... But when someone in Soviet Riga convincingly said, "I want to serve in the paratroopers!" he was often sent to Viljandi.
It was in this town in Estonia, on the shores of a beautiful lake, that the 4th Separate Special Purpose Brigade (4th OBSPN, military unit 77034) was stationed, relocated from Riga. The brigade and the secret airborne unit were intended for operations in the European theater of military operations.
Are the paratroopers holding the line?
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