Jean, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights and has been awarded for her work on Justice and Human rights, today said that it was vital permission was granted to allow the event to take place without unnecessary violence and to ensure that participants were protected by the Russian authorities.
Jean commented; "It is a disgrace that the Mayor of Moscow is dragging his heels in giving authorisation to the march. Suggestions of banning the event altogether are completely unacceptable.
"The authorities in Russia are bound by the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights to ensure that everyone has access to their human rights including the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and freedom from discrimination.
"This is the European Year of Equal Opportunities in a Union which prides it self on its commitment to human rights. However it seems that the Mayor of Moscow is yet to realise what such a commitment means.
"There is no place for such narrow mindedness in a modern Europe. Everyone is equal regardless of their gender, race or sexuality and the Mayor of Moscow must provide an official answer, granting authorisation for the march to reflect this European position."
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media OfficerTel: 020 7407 6280 Email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors: Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.