Dutch FM ‘Shocked’ Over Violence Against LGBT Activists in Tbilisi

The Dutch government has summoned the Georgian ambassador in The Hague to convey its “displeasure” over violence by anti-gay protesters against small group of gay rights activists, who wanted to mark the International Day Against Homophobia in downtown Tbilisi on May 17.

“It is unacceptable, particularly on the International Day against Homophobia, that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders cannot exercise their fundamental rights, like the right to free expression and peaceful demonstration,” said Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans, who expressed “shock” over the violence in Tbilisi.

“The Netherlands, together with other EU countries, will continue to remind the Georgian authorities that the Georgian police are obliged to respect the rights of these individuals,” he said.

The Dutch government said in a press release that it summoned the Georgian ambassador on May 17, following violence in downtown Tbilisi; it also says that defending LGBT rights is one of the cornerstones of Dutch human rights policy.

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)