Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AT LEAST SEVEN people were injured and more than 20 arrested today in Kiev as scuffles broke out between members of a rare Ukrainian gay pride march and their nationalist opponents.
The socially-conservative country — locked in a bruising war with pro-Russian insurgents — is seeking a closer alliance with Europe and remains keen to promote civil liberties freely enjoyed in much of the West.
The March of Equality parade staged at a scenic stretch of the Dniepr River on the northern outskirts of Kiev — only the second march in Ukraine’s post-Soviet history — was scheduled to last only 10 minutes out of security concerns.
Members of the Pravy Sektor (Right Sector) nationalist organisation — often seen spearheading the demonstrations that toppled a Russian-backed president last year — had on this occasion threatened to disrupt the protest and defend more conservative traditions.
But around 100 activists still showed up for the rally after being informed of its location by the main organisers only a few hours in advance.
“This march shows that we exist. We are fighting for equal rights that, unlike others in Ukraine, we currently lack,” said a 31-year-old woman who agreed to identify herself only as Vira out of concerns for both her safety and future career prospects.
I am very frightened. But I am also very proud of myself — proud that I came out and so many people supported us.
The scuffles broke out when the police tried to keep a few dozen young men who had jumped out of a bus bearing Right Sektor insignia from attacking the peaceful marchers.
Ambulance workers said one police woman suffered a neck injury. The Kiev police department said five other officers and one far right group member were also slightly hurt.
The police statement added that 25 nationalists — many of them clad in black balaclava — had been detained and taken in for questioning.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on the eve of the protest that he fully supported the marchers but would refrain from attending the event.
“As far as the ‘March of Equality’ is concerned, I view it from both the perspective of a Christian and a pro-European president. I believe these are two completely compatible ideas,” Poroshenko told reporters.
“I will not be taking part,” said the 49-year-old leader.
But I see no grounds for someone to try and disturb it, since this is the constitutional right of every Ukrainian citizen.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’m honestly shocked that this is not a matter of practice already, and that it had to be fought for.
Imagine the heartbreak of losing your partner in childbirth and being told you weren’t automatically entitled to a inquest?
@Abbie Cranky: I am not shocked at all to be honest, this is the country we live in, we vote for corrupt parties and we get a corrupt system because of this its very simple.
@Peter Hughes:
Fine Gael increasing their percentage of the vote despite the many health scandals happening on their watch.
One could easily despair of the myopia of the electorate if one was so inclined.
@Jimmy Coltrane: They’re not really though.Its all “within margin of error” stuff and when broken down doesn’t mean they’d be returned to government. If it did we’d have an election next September..
Shocking that it isn’t already the rule, I guess it’s part of the old Ireland, at least we do make some progress in some areas.
Well done to Claire Daly, it’s excellent legislation and well done to her for proposing it and for persisting with it for 3 years since 2015. Some people are quick to criticize her but she does excellent work and doesn’t deserve the grief some people give her. You might not always agree with her politics but you cannot argue with her work rate and she is the exception in a bunch of lazy and incompetent ministers.
Just waiting to see which Total Dichs oppose this.
@Ixtrix Net: Mattie McGrath step on down…
@Ixtrix Net: The new rules requiring the prompt treatment of sepsis will prevent a case like Savita’s happening ever again.
@Tom Molloy: Removing a septic foetus would have helped.
@Tom Molloy:
that’s a good thing, but, some thing should be pro-active, not , retro-active
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: Savita lived for three days after the spontaneous miscarriage. No medic has said that an abortion would have made any difference to the out of control sepsis. Sepsis causes multiple organ failure, removing any one would not “cure” the sepsis nor would the removal of the fetus.
@Tom Molloy: Well Tom, thats just not true. A former Master of Holles St, a man at the top of his field said that early intervention, in this case abortion, would likely have prevented sepsis.
Can we stick to the truth please?
8 women all died by medical negligence yet only one name will stand out for most . Shameful.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: No, they died because they were prevented from accessing abortion here at home.
How many can you name?
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: Great to hear there are no sepsis related maternal deaths in the UK where abortion has been legal for years…..oh wait…
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: did you even read the article?
I wonder where would women’s voices be heard without @ClareDalyTD?
What if the family don’t want the death reported. This is often the case in suicide or OD.
Clare Daly is a beacon in a sea of …. (express exasperation here)
@Shawn O’Ceallaghan: suicide and OD would always be reported. This is about death during or shortly after childbirth.
have your say