Hungarian President refuses to stand for GLBT people
13/07/2009
Submitted by
Budapest Pride
Monday, 13th July 2009
On behalf of the Hungarian Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Alliance we turned to President László Sólyom with a letter in which we asked him for a meeting to discuss how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens’ freedom of assembly can be defended, and what steps are needed to ensure GLBT people’s equality before the law. Despite of the atrocities against GLBT people at last years’ marches and the growing social and political prominence of extreme right-wing ideologies, the Hungarian President refused our request in a neutral reply even though the upcoming date of Gay Pride March (Sept. 5) makes it very actual.
On 14th June 2009, just a week after the European Parliament elections the Movement for a Better Hungary (Jobbik) allied with other organizations to stop the next Gay Pride March in Budapest. Even though the unconstitutionality of their aim and statements is beyond doubt, László Sólyom rejected the meeting with reference to his busy schedule. The Office of the President of the Republic of Hungary made only the following substantial statement: “in case there is a demonstration at the same time and the same place where the Gay Pride March occurs, it is the duty of police authorities to act if the relevant laws are not observed."
At the same time Barack Obama, the president of the United States proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
Hillary Clinton’s proclamation on this particular occasion contains the following: “The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end. As Secretary of State, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“We won’t ever give up on the fight for equality – we are marching with you every step of the way” – said British PM Gordon Brown in his greetings to the London Pride.
It is regrettable that the President of the Republic of Hungary does not take a clear stand on human rights, the rights of GLBT citizens in this particular case. Even though he is a head of state of a country based on democratic principles and member of the European Union, he still ignores a petition by a minority knowing well that GLBT people face brutal violence during pride marches and in their private life, a violence that infringes on basic liberties.
As President of the Republic, it is a duty of László Sólyom to stand for the human rights of every Hungarian citizen.
The Hungarian GLBT Alliance calls for further measures to promote the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and considers Sólyom’s dismissive answer inappropriate, especially in light of the threats by political force professing unconstitutional views.
On behalf of the Hungarian Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Alliance we turned to President László Sólyom with a letter in which we asked him for a meeting to discuss how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens’ freedom of assembly can be defended, and what steps are needed to ensure GLBT people’s equality before the law. Despite of the atrocities against GLBT people at last years’ marches and the growing social and political prominence of extreme right-wing ideologies, the Hungarian President refused our request in a neutral reply even though the upcoming date of Gay Pride March (Sept. 5) makes it very actual.
On 14th June 2009, just a week after the European Parliament elections the Movement for a Better Hungary (Jobbik) allied with other organizations to stop the next Gay Pride March in Budapest. Even though the unconstitutionality of their aim and statements is beyond doubt, László Sólyom rejected the meeting with reference to his busy schedule. The Office of the President of the Republic of Hungary made only the following substantial statement: “in case there is a demonstration at the same time and the same place where the Gay Pride March occurs, it is the duty of police authorities to act if the relevant laws are not observed."
At the same time Barack Obama, the president of the United States proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
Hillary Clinton’s proclamation on this particular occasion contains the following: “The persecution of gays and lesbians is a violation of human rights and an affront to human decency, and it must end. As Secretary of State, I will advance a comprehensive human rights agenda that includes the elimination of violence and discrimination against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“We won’t ever give up on the fight for equality – we are marching with you every step of the way” – said British PM Gordon Brown in his greetings to the London Pride.
It is regrettable that the President of the Republic of Hungary does not take a clear stand on human rights, the rights of GLBT citizens in this particular case. Even though he is a head of state of a country based on democratic principles and member of the European Union, he still ignores a petition by a minority knowing well that GLBT people face brutal violence during pride marches and in their private life, a violence that infringes on basic liberties.
As President of the Republic, it is a duty of László Sólyom to stand for the human rights of every Hungarian citizen.
The Hungarian GLBT Alliance calls for further measures to promote the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and considers Sólyom’s dismissive answer inappropriate, especially in light of the threats by political force professing unconstitutional views.
