I received an answer to my "Open Letter to he Prime Minister of Latvia". It came from the Prime Minister of Latvia, Aigars Kalvitis. You can read his answer at QX.se.
My comment is the following:
Sorry, Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, your answer makes no sense. You claim: "I must admit that the Executive Director of Riga City Council acted hastily, when he withdrew the previously granted permit.". Really? You said it was unacceptable for the parade to take place. Eriks Skapars, the Executive Director, just did what you wished.
Yes, in your original statement you also mentioned security concerns. That's what conservatives do when they want to ban some form of democratic expression they don't like, like a gay parade. But in a democratic society it is that state's duty to protect such expression and not to give in to those who want to obstruct. I understand that this is also the practice of the European Court of Human Rights.
Baltic Times indeed asked if the City Council had any information about disorder. I cite from their article:
"When asked to specify if the City Council had received any information about possible disorder, spokesperson Ugis Vidauskis said that the decision was made on the basis of concerns expressed by the prime minister. “We are to a great extent relying on our prime minister -- if he does have such information,” he said.
I now leave it to the readers to judge you. I would hope that you are sincere when you talk about the protection of all citizens and listening to diverse views but I cannot be sure. And, as I said in my Open Letter, the courts and the police upheld the spirit of democracy and tolerance in a commendable way.
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