Joint Statement Expressing Support for the 2014 Budapest Pride Festival
The following joint press release is issued by the Embassies of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom and The United States
On the occasion of the 19th Budapest Pride Festival, we convey our support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in Hungary and their right to express themselves peacefully and lawfully.
Respect for human rights — including justice, equality, non-discrimination, freedom of expression as well as the non-interference in the practice of these rights — and the rule of law are the foundations upon which democratic states are built. Indeed, international human rights law is grounded on the premise that all individuals are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We welcome the Hungarian government’s commitment to supporting these rights and their support in June 2011 of the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
The Budapest Pride, which has the longest history of such events in Central Eastern Europe, promotes the principle of equal treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, which is an important aspect of a tolerant and respectful society.
We look forward to the Pride celebrations, to the respect for them which the Hungarian people will show and to the determination of the Hungarian authorities not to allow those of extreme views to disrupt what should and will be joyful occasions.