Vula Tsetsi, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, stated:
'Despite Viktor Orbån’s far-right government’s attempts to suppress the event, the Pride march stood as a proud testament to democratic resistance, in Hungary and across Europe. This year’s Budapest Pride became a beacon of hope. People from across Europe stood shoulder to shoulder with the Hungarian LGBTIQ community, showing that love, democracy and freedom are stronger than the hateful far right that tries to divide and silence us. The attacks on human rights in Hungary are not just a national issue - it is an attack on the core democratic values of all of Europe. The EU institutions have a clear responsibility to act decisively. Defending fundamental rights in one member state means defending them everywhere.’
Ciarán Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, added:
“We are immensely proud of Budapest’s Green Mayor, Gergely Karácsony, who showed courageous leadership by making Pride a municipal event and ensuring that the march could go ahead despite the efforts of the Orbán government to block it. This act of protection was critical, especially when Orbán authorised far-right counter-protests.”
Rasmus Nordqvist, EGP Committee Member, coordinator of the Green Queer Network and MEP concluded: “All together we made it very clear that attacks on freedom and constitutional rights are unacceptable. We thank everyone who marched, organised, or supported the event, both in Hungary and abroad. At a time when democratic freedoms are under pressure, today’s Pride was a powerful reminder that united action can overcome authoritarianism and hate.”
The European Green Party’s delegation to Budapest included over 200 people, among them elected officials and party leaders, such as Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz, Spanish Minister Ernest Urtasun, as well as over 20 Members of the European Parliament.
Pictures: Media can use these pictures free of charge, crediting "European Green Party / Andras Mayer"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/europeangreens/albums/72177720327128337/with/54618137124
