LGBT people in Serbia are set to hold their first Pride in three years tomorrow, despite the threat of violence.

The event has been banned by the government for the past two years because of violence from right wing extremists in 2010. But they are likely to allow it to go ahead this year, following pressure from the West. The country is expected to begin accession talks to join the European Union soon, and human rights would form part of the decision making process.

While the government is still saying no final decision has been taken, pending a security assessment by police, one cabinet minister has said he will join the march, indicating it will likely go ahead. Human rights campaigner and Pride organiser Goran Miletíc told a press conference: ‘As far as we’re concerned, it is certain [to go ahead].’

‘We are working out all the details with the police, but we haven’t heard their security assessment yet.’

The Serbian Orthodox Church has, of course, heavily criticised the march, with the head of the church telling Belgrade magazine Nedeljnik: ‘In our tragic times, nothing is more jeopardised than marriage and family. Both are being systematically destroyed, especially by gay pride.”