Marching for human rights by Marco Cappato, MEP

Marching for human rights

Regarding the article "Police halt Moscow gay pride rally" (May 28): It is not true that I "traded blows" with a Russian man.

In fact, my aide and I only received blows as we were trying to give to the mayor of Moscow a letter signed by 50 members of the European Parliament requesting authorization for the march of tolerance in accordance with the European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, to which Russia is bound.

It's not my style to trade blows or to carry out violent protests. I belong to the Nonviolent Transnational Radical Party, an association of citizens, parliamentarians and members of government of various national and political backgrounds who intend to create, through nonviolent methods, an effective body of international law with respect for individuals and the affirmation of democracy and freedom throughout the world.

Marco Cappato, Brussels, Member of the European Parliament