Bosnia and Herzegovina: LGBTQ Pride parade to occur in Sarajevo Aug. 14

Event

Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community will hold a Pride parade in Sarajevo 12:00-13:00 Aug. 14. Participants will gather at Kosevo Park before marching down Kosevo Street to Marsala Tita and ending with a rally outside the Parliamentary Assembly building. Supporters can only enter the gathering point for the parade 10:00-12:00 at the intersection of Bolnicka and Patriotske lige. COVID-19 measures will be in place, including social distancing between participants. Authorities will close streets surrounding the march route 07:00-14:00.

Counterprotests are likely during the Pride march Aug. 14. A political group is calling for supporters to gather at the eternal flame war memorial at 11:30.

Heightened security is almost certain at the Pride march and any counterprotests. While the actions will likely pass peacefully, low-level scuffles between police, parade participants, and opposing activists cannot be ruled out. Localized transport disruptions are likely in affected areas. Public transit routes and schedules may change during the planned events.

Advice

Allow additional travel time in Sarajevo Aug. 14. Exercise caution in the vicinity of the march route and the eternal flame war memorial. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation.