Mayor Job Cohen wrote a letter to eight over capitals in Europe regarding homophobia

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The mayor of Amsterdam has called on Europe's capitals to embrace gay rights.

Job Cohen wrote a letter to eight over capitals in Europe including Warsaw, Prague, Lisbon, Dublin and Vienna , warning against homophobia.

The letter expresses concern at gay pride bans and calls on the leaders to "adhere to the universal declaration of human rights, and to do everything in your political power to open up marriage for same-sex couples and safeguard the right of public demonstrations in your city," according to the Agence France-Presse news agency.

He also wrote to leaders in Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, and EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini.

Mr Cohen has previously called on Moscow to reinstate the gay pride parade.

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