Right Sector Plans to Prevent the Equality March

Right Sector members plan to prevent LGBT activists from holding the Equality March in Kyiv on June 6th.

A statement by the Right Sector states that LGBT activists plan to “hold a number of activities in Kyiv aimed at justifying, legitimizing and promoting homosexuality, and other sexual perversions.” Right Sector members have deemed this to be a social harm to fight against, like drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and corruption. Based on the text of the statement, Right Sector plans to prevent the march and is urging Azov battalion and right-wing volunteers from other units to join in.

Earlier, as reported by the National LGBT portal of Ukraine, the organizers have begun registration for the Equality March, which will be held on June 6th in Kyiv. For safety reasons, the organizing committee reserves the right to select participants. The organizers also promise to provide information on the time and place of the Equality March no later than June 5th.

To participate in the Equality March one is required to fill out a form.

In 2014, the event was canceled due to the inability of the police to provide security. In 2013, the March was held on Peremohy (Victory) Avenue under the careful protection of law enforcement officers.

This year, public and political figures have expressed support for the March and have raised the issue of its participant’s safety.

The Ukrainian branch of Amnesty International has pointed out that Ukraine is obliged to provide for the right to peaceful protest, a responsibility it took up by signing a number of international agreements.

The Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations, Hryhoriy Nemyria, addressed Interior Minister Arsen Avakov and Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko with a request to ensure security during the March. 

This year, Equality March has received support from, among others, MPs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Serhiy Leshchenko and Svitlana Zalischuk, writer and television presenter Larisa Denisenko, journalist Vakhtang Kipiani, writer Irena Karpa, and radio presenter Iryna Slavinska.