There is no reason why Bosnia should be left behind as the only country in the region where the LGBT community is not able to hold a peaceful gathering, the Office of the High Representative said Friday amid the upcoming Sunday Pride event.

“The Office of the High Representative (OHR) fully takes note of the upcoming BiH Pride March in Sarajevo as a manifestation of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, fundamental rights that are enshrined in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said the the international administrator’s office whose function is to oversee the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the 1992-1995 was in Bosnia.

“We expect the relevant authorities to take every appropriate measure to enable this peaceful assembly to take place without interruption and without participants fearing violence,” the OHR noted. 

They added that the Sunday, March should once more show to the world that Bosnia is a tolerant, free and open society, safe for all its citizens.

The first Sarajevo Pride is set to take place on Sunday, September 8, when over 500 participants will march peacefully from the Eternal flame monument in the centre of Sarajevo, all the way to the Bosnian Parliament building, where organisers are expected to hold a short speech regarding the position of the LGBT community in the country.

Police authorities said they employed a large number of police officers from various law-enforcement agencies to oversee and protect event participants and public order during the event.