Freedom rights in the EU: Pride demo: EU Commissioner praises Hungarian civil society

The EU Commissioner for Democracy and the rule of law, Michael McGrath, has appreciated the mass demonstrations in Budapest for the rights of sexual minorities. “It was a very powerful and visible demonstration of solidarity and support for the LGBTIQ+community in Budapest,” said McGrath of the German Press Agency and the European Newsroom in an interview in Brussels.

The English abbreviation LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans -people, queer and intersex people – and the plus sign is a placeholder for other identities and genders.

Last weekend, according to organizers, more than 200,000 people had participated in the largest Pride parade in the 30-year history of movement in Hungary in the Hungarian capital. The participants moved peacefully through the capital – despite the great resistance of the Hungarian government.

McGrath: No orchestration by the EU

Prime Minister Viktor Orban had tried to prevent the parade from preventing the parade through a police ban in the course of a homophobic campaign. At the same time, he accused the European Union behind the protests.

McGrath rejected this: “There was certainly no orchestration by the European Union. What we saw was an organic reaction of grass root organizations, ordinary Hungarian citizens and yes, supported by international interest groups.”

The IRE emphasized the importance of European fundamental rights: “Freedom of assembly is a fundamental right in the EU fundamental rights charta.” Nobody had to fear anything when people gathered peacefully.

No money to countries that do not respect the rule of law

McGrath pointed out that the EU Commission could limit access to EU funds for violations of the rule of law. The Commission is of the opinion that “not a single euro should flow to countries in which the rule of law is not respected,” said the Commissioner.