Montenegro's second pride parade in Podgorica successful

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Podgorica, Montenegro (21 October 2013) – Montenegro’s second LGBT pride parade, attended by around 150 activists, ambassadors, and celebrities, took place in Podgorica on Sunday afternoon.

The march was guarded by almost 2,000 police officers. The violence occurred when approximately 1,500 parade opponents tried to push through cordons of hundreds of police. However, police successfully fought back repeated attempts by protesters who were trying to enter the part of the city where the event was being held, the Police Authority stated in its press release.

Twenty police officers were injured, one of whom sustained serious injuries, in clashes with attackers, who were throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. Around 60 protesters were detained, the press release concluded.

None of parade's participants were injured or arrested. After the march, the police evacuated them towards a secure location.

The next parade is scheduled for June 2014.

Montenegro’s Minister of Human and Minority Rights Suad Numanović conveyed to the parade’s participants the Montenegrin Government’s commitment to safeguarding rights and freedoms of LGBT population.

“Citizens of Montenegro showed a high level of democracy and tolerance and this peaceful gathering testifies that the LGBT population will be fully protected, as Montenegro will not allow any of its citizens to feel inferior or unsecured,” Minister Numanović pointed out.

Interior Minister Raško Konjević in his statement also thanked the locals for cooperating and expressing a high level of tolerance towards the Parade participants, thus demonstrating their understanding and appreciation for diversities.

The nation’s first-ever Pride Parade was held in the seaside resort of Budva in July 2013.