SARAJEVO, March 15 (FENA) - Organizations gathered around the Coalition for the Fight Against Hate Speech and Hate Crimes condemned the homophobic graffiti in connection with the holding of Merlinka Festival in Tuzla and urged the police and judiciary of the Tuzla Canton to adequately react, investigate and prosecute this criminal offense, and that such offenses are defined as criminal offenses committed out of hatred.
Ahead of the opening of the 5th queer festival "Merlinka" in Tuzla, posters were placed at several public sites in the past days, inviting citizens of Tuzla to protest in front of the "Ismet Mujezinović" Atelier “in order to prevent the opening and holding of sick and immoral Queer Fest".
Today, on the day of the opening of Merlinka Festival, a homophobic graffiti has been written on the walls of this Atelier saying, "Fags, you need to be treated!" the Coalition said.
The Coalition of Human Rights Institutions in BiH and representatives of the authorities demand publicly condemnation of all homophobic and transphobic graffiti/attacks, as well as to take concrete actions to combat homophobic and transphobic violence, and adequately protect the organizers and participants of the Merlinka Festival in Tuzla.
(FENA) S. R.