Joint statement from 13 Embassies in Budapest:
"On the occasion of the 2009 Budapest Pride Festival,
we express our support for, and solidarity with, the lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender communities in Hungary. We support the right of these
communities to use this traditional occasion to march together peacefully
and lawfully, in order to express their desire to end the silence
surrounding the specific issues that affect them.
“Human rights – including justice, equality, humanity,
respect and freedom of expression – 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.
“It is this respect for fundamental human values that
obliges governments to protect all citizens from violence and to ensure that
all people enjoy equal opportunities.
“Today, many individuals face discrimination, both
systemic and overt, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Our governments seek to combat such discrimination by
promoting the human rights of all people, regardless of their sexual
orientation or gender identity. We
urge all governments to ensure that neither sexual orientation nor gender
identity form the basis for criminal penalties.
Our governments` policies in this area are in
accordance with the principles set out in the Joint statement on human
rights, sexual orientation and gender identity delivered at the United
Nations General Assembly on 18 December, 2008."
