Intergroup to refer Hungary to the European Commission after Pride violence
08/07/2008
Submitted by
ILGA-Europe
Press release from the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights of the European Parliament
8 July 2008
For immediate release
“Intergroup to refer Hungary to the European Commission after Pride violence”
On 5 July a Pride parade took place in Budapest, which is described by the media as the most violent Pride in the country's history.
Pride was attacked by right-wing extremists throwing fire bombs, eggs filled with acid and other objects at the police and participants. A Hungarian MEP Katalin Lévai was also attacked.
The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights strongly denounces Pride violence and again is disappointed by the Hungarian government's inability to guarantee the safety of their citizens and visitors to the country.
"I am deeply disappointed and concerned of Hungary's inability to deal with extremists", said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup. "This must be referred to the European Commission and Commission's President."
Sirpa Pietikäinen, Vice-President of the Intergroup for the EPP-ED added, "Police forces again, like last year, failed to protect citizens exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly, probably due to inadequate resources. I will demand an explanation from the Hungarian government and I will raise this issue with the European Commission."
Katalin Lévai, Hungarian MEP, who experienced violence at the Pride march when the window of her car was smashed by a heavy stone: "It is unacceptable in our democracies that microscopic groups of the extreme right may threaten and attack an important minority while it practices the universal right to freedom. We must step up against groups advocating hatred and violence. I will continue to work hard in order to stop the spread of radicalism in Hungary and in Europe."
ENDS
For further information on the Intergroup please visit our website:
http://www.lgbt-ep.eu
Representatives of European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights:
President: Michael Cashman MEP (UK/PSE)
Vice-President: Lissy Gröner MEP (DE/PSE)
Vice-President: Sophie in 't Veld MEP (ALDE)
Vice-President: Raül Romeva MEP (G/EFA)
Vice-President: Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (EPP-ED)
For further information please contact Maris Sergejenko on mcashman@europarl.eu.int or tel.: +32 2 284 57 59
8 July 2008
For immediate release
“Intergroup to refer Hungary to the European Commission after Pride violence”
On 5 July a Pride parade took place in Budapest, which is described by the media as the most violent Pride in the country's history.
Pride was attacked by right-wing extremists throwing fire bombs, eggs filled with acid and other objects at the police and participants. A Hungarian MEP Katalin Lévai was also attacked.
The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights strongly denounces Pride violence and again is disappointed by the Hungarian government's inability to guarantee the safety of their citizens and visitors to the country.
"I am deeply disappointed and concerned of Hungary's inability to deal with extremists", said Michael Cashman, President of the Intergroup. "This must be referred to the European Commission and Commission's President."
Sirpa Pietikäinen, Vice-President of the Intergroup for the EPP-ED added, "Police forces again, like last year, failed to protect citizens exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly, probably due to inadequate resources. I will demand an explanation from the Hungarian government and I will raise this issue with the European Commission."
Katalin Lévai, Hungarian MEP, who experienced violence at the Pride march when the window of her car was smashed by a heavy stone: "It is unacceptable in our democracies that microscopic groups of the extreme right may threaten and attack an important minority while it practices the universal right to freedom. We must step up against groups advocating hatred and violence. I will continue to work hard in order to stop the spread of radicalism in Hungary and in Europe."
ENDS
For further information on the Intergroup please visit our website:
http://www.lgbt-ep.eu
Representatives of European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights:
President: Michael Cashman MEP (UK/PSE)
Vice-President: Lissy Gröner MEP (DE/PSE)
Vice-President: Sophie in 't Veld MEP (ALDE)
Vice-President: Raül Romeva MEP (G/EFA)
Vice-President: Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP (EPP-ED)
For further information please contact Maris Sergejenko on mcashman@europarl.eu.int or tel.: +32 2 284 57 59
