Acts of hatred cannot only be disturbing the public peace and order, reads a statement of the National Network Against Homophobia and Transphobia, issued after the police decision for the attack on activist for the rights of marginalized communities and civic activist Slavcho Dimitrov to be registered as violation of public order and peace with assault.
“Instead of this biased, intimidating and threatening act to be registered as a crime and a swift reaction to be carried out, the police thought that hate crime can pass as a violation of public order and peace, equivalent to drinking or littering. Police did not take into account previously given information that a prominent activist for human rights, especially the rights of LGBT people, is concerned, who previously had been verbally and physically harassed, especially during the attacks on LGBT center,” reads the statement.
NNHT reminded that LGBT rights activists, events organized by LGBT organizations and LGBT support center are often the target of physical attacks and violence and that “the police almost never finds the perpetrators.”
“We call on the police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office to change their practice and this time immediately find the perpetrator and to prosecute him in accordance with the Criminal Law. This event cannot be viewed in isolation, out of the recent attacks on civil activists and persistent transphobic and homophobic attacks. This is not just a random attack, this is an attack on all those who have the courage to speak and act against the violent and repressive policies and attacks against those who dare to be the voice of the quiet. This attack is an attempt to intimidate and silence!” reads the statement.
