In the premises of the non-governmental organization Transparency International in Banja Luka, activists for the rights of LGBT persons were physically attacked tonight, after which the police intervened.
The police announced that at 18:45 a violation of public order and peace was reported to them, i.e. that several unknown persons physically and verbally attacked a group of citizens who had gathered on their own initiative.
They indicated that one person was given help in the emergency room, and that the rest of the gathered citizens, as they stated, approached the police department for personal safety.
As Klix.ba learns, three people were transported to the University Clinical Center of the Republika Srpska. Journalist Vanja Stokić claims that the police allowed the attack to happen.
“The police allowed hooligans to beat people on Mejdan tonight. They were there and just took cover,” Stokić pointed out.
This happened after the authorities banned an event as part of the Pride Parade that was supposed to take place in this city today, and after activists for the rights of LGBT persons were recently attacked in Banja Luka.
“Our Party” condemned the attack and called on the judiciary and the police to react immediately. In addition, they called on politicians to condemn the violence, because they believe that their rhetoric contributed to the violence.
The SDP party condemned, as they announced, the violence and repression in Banja Luka and the rest of the RS against minority groups, journalists and all those who are considered a threat by the ruling party. They noted that institutions must be in the service of protecting every human being and that violent people must be prosecuted, and those who fight for rights, equality and equality must be protected.
“The rule of law implies that the state ensures human rights and freedoms, regardless of whether someone from the government likes it or not,” they added.
Violence was also condemned in the OSCE, emphasizing that every individual has the right to live freely and safely, without fear of violence or discrimination. They also called on the authorities to join the clear condemnation of this, as they emphasized, outrageous attack and to bring the responsible persons to justice, which they consider an absolute priority.
The President of the RS Milorad Dodik (SNSD) and Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković (PDP) opposed the rally as part of the Pride Parade.
Anti-LGBT symbols are displayed on the streets of this city.