Finally, after 2 years of pandemic, we could celebrate love and the right to love whoever we want.
But then, the hatred showed its worst side. An extremism we know is there. An extremism that is
allowed to flourish in closed rooms, but which comes out into the light from time to time. It comes
from the far right and it comes from religious fanatics from several religions.
The hatred struck for example in Orlando in 2016, in Białystok in 2019, in Dresden in 2020, in France
in 2021. And if we add individuals who have been killed, physically injured, bullied to suicide, or ‘just’
bullied, it becomes a long and sad list. 1
In 2022, just when Oslo celebrated love and prepared for the Pride parade, an extremist shot 2 men
dead and wounded 20. But it did not stop in Oslo. In October, 2 persons were killed during a shooting
at a queer cafe in Bratislava, and 5 persons were killed in November in Colorado Springs.
The terrorist attack in Norway could have been avoided. The cooperation between security services
did not work well, and clear warnings were not taken seriously enough. We, The European Centre
Right LGBT+ Alliance, strongly urge for all European authorities to ensure that their countries
respective security services cooperate and have routines in place to make sure to take threats
against Pride-celebrations and the LGBT+ communities seriously. Misjudgements with fatal results in
Norway should not occur in other countries.
To avoid such horrible actions in the future, every government must establish a national competence
centre against hate crime and strengthening the police’s work in digital spaces. It is of great
importance to develop action plans against both hate crime and negative social control as well as
ensure dialogue with religious leaders. We call upon the European governments to implement these
important measures.
Though it is important to avoid, we should prevent radicalism and extremism. That should be done
where people live in cities, towns, villages, and neighbourhoods all over the country.
Our challenge goes to all the mayors, all the city counsellor representatives and local elected
responsible for children and youngsters:
One of the most important tasks when you are in office is preventing radicalism. By adopting various
programs and tools for inclusion in kindergartens and schools, making demands for non-
discrimination with county’s operational partners, both professionals and within the voluntary
sector. Take a clear stand and practice zero tolerance for discrimination and hate speech. These are
all ways to reduce the risk of young people in your municipality being radicalised.
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acts_of_violence_against_LGBT_people
