U.S. Embassy statement concerning violence targeting LGBT community

December 17, 2012

U.S. Embassy Pristina issued the following statement from Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson concerning the violence at the magazine launch hosted by Kosovo 2.0 and a Sunday evening attack at the offices of the Libertas NGO:

“The U.S. Embassy deplores the violence perpetrated by a mob of extremists at the launch of the Kosovo 2.0 magazine on December 14.  Violence and threats have no place in a modern democratic state, and the United States will always safeguard and protect citizens’ freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

“Reports suggest part of the violence as well as a separate incident at a local NGO later in the weekend was directed at members of Kosovo’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.  As Secretary Clinton has repeatedly said, the rights of LGBT community members are human rights like any other, and must be protected and never forgotten or ignored.  Regardless of one’s personal opinions or beliefs, no practice or tradition trumps the human rights that belong to all of us. 

“The United States appreciates the Government of Kosovo’s swift condemnation of this weekend’s incidents, and together we will continue working with all other like-minded communities to advance the human rights of all Kosovo’s people.  While this weekend’s events were disturbing and disappointing, our work to build a strong and diverse Kosovo will continue undeterred by acts of violence.”