Police ready to ensure safety of Montenegro’s second Pride Parade

Podgorica, Montenegro (17 October 2013) – The Government of Montenegro has instructed the Interior Ministry and the police to take all legal steps to ensure safety of Montenegro’s second-ever Pride Parade and urged the Montenegrin citizens to show tolerance and respect for differences, as the values Montenegro has cherished throughout its history.

Addressing a press conference following today’s Cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Rasko Konjevic said that, regardless of the security risk involved, the police is fully prepared and determined to ensure safety of the Pride Parade, scheduled for Sunday, 20 October, in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica.

The Government, according to Minister Konjević, has encouraged the Ministry of the Interior and the Police Administration to exercise their constitutional responsibility and ensure safety of the parade participants, as well as other citizens, their property and public property. To this end, around 2,000 police officers will be engaged.

On the other hand, the Interior Minister underlined, firm action will be taken against those who in any way violate the law and compromise the safety of the people attending the Pride Parade.

The Montenegrin capital will host the nation’s second Pride Parade, organised by the LGBTIQ association Queer Montenegro, after the police successfully dealt with a number of minor incidents at the first-ever gay march in the seaside resort of Budva in July 2013.