RIGA, May 30, 2008  —  Amnesty International and Mozaika, the Latvian LGBT group, have formed a strategic partnership, it was revealed this afternoon.

It is one of four such partnerships with Non-Government Organisations that Amnesty has worldwide.

“We will be working closely with Mozaika,” Anders Dahlback form Amnesty’s European Union office in Brussels sad at a press conference in Riga.

He pointed out that the rghts of all Latvians would be addressed, and not just those of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

“Amnesty International wants wants everyone to have the freedom of assembly,” commented David Diaz from Amnesty’s international headquarters in London.

“I look forward to the day when Riga Pride takes place without the need of police protection.

“Gay and lesbian rights are human rights,” he said, adding that everyone must have “equality before the law”.

Linda Freimane, the chair of Mozaika pointed out that it was important to have a “visability’ for the Gay Pride march, officially know as the “March for Equality”.

“It is a diverse event,” she said, adding that the march puts forward specific requests to combat discrmination of the grouds of sexuality.

Referring to the notion of those who publically condemn Gay Pride, she insisted: “Sex if for the bedroom, not the streets.”

Ms. Freimane went on to say that there were many gay men and women who were afraid to go t the police to complain.

“They know what the reaction would be.

“We are no asking for special rights, just for equal rights,” she said.

Asked how long it would take for gay Latvians to have all the rights that exist in some other European Union countries, like the United Kingdom, Ms. Freimane said that it would probably take ten years, compared with around 30 years that it took in the UK.

“Equality will come relatively quickly,” she thought, adding that Latvia can learn from other counties.

But she said that getting the legislation in place was the easy part.  More difficult was ‘winning the hearts and minds’ of the public.

Members of Amnesty Internation from across Europe are arriving in Riga for tomorrow’s march.  Some 80 are expected.

This evening, the ambassadors of Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom are combining to host an opening reception for Riga Pride at a city centre hotel.

The police are mounting a massive operation to ensure the safety of those participating in the march, which starts at 10am tomorrow.

At midnight tonight, police will block traffic on the riverside drive in Old Town Riga – the 11 Novembra Embankment between Kalku Street and Muitas Street.

Then, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. all vehicle and pedestrian movement will be closed on the following streets: on Daugavas Lane from its intersection with 11.Novembra Embankment to Pils Square, on Polu Lane in the section between Pils Street and 11 Novembra Embankment, on Anglikanu Street between Pils Street and 11 Novembra Embrankment, on Jauniela Street between Palasta Street and 11 Novembra Embankment, on Pils Street between Dome Square and Pils Square and on Biskapa Lane between Herdera Square and 11 Novembra Embankment.

From 7 p.m. tonight until 1 p.m. tomorrow, vehicles will not be permitted to stop or stand on both sides of 11 Novembra Embankment between Kalku Street and Muitas Street, on Polu Lane between Pils Street and 11 Novembra Embankment, on Biskapa Lane between Herdera Square and 11 Novembra Embankment, on Anglikanu Street between Pils Street and the Anglican Church, on Miesnieku Street between Pils Street and 11 Novembra Embankment, on Jauniela between Palasta Street and Biskapa Lane, as well as on Pils Street between Doma Square and Pils Square.

And police have warned motorists who do park in the streets affected that they will tow away vehicles.

All shipping will be stoped on the River Daugava between Akmens Bridge and Vansu Bridge from 8am to 3pm tomorrow.

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"Blogging With Pride" - Amnesty International

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