Pride flags not the only flags banned from Eurovision, Dutch broadcaster says

The flag ban for artists during the Eurovision Song Contest applies not only to rainbow flags, but also to Palestinian flags or “European” flags, for example. AVROTROS stated this on Sunday in an explanation of the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) decision that artists at the song festival may only carry their country’s national flag during performances. LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization COC called the decision “completely ridiculous.”

AVROTROS stressed that the contest “is a non-political event. At official moments, you show the flag of your own country, the EBU has said.” The broadcaster, which organizes the Dutch participation in the song contest, acknowledged that “a rainbow flag is not a political statement. But the EBU is concerned with drawing a single line.”

The COC says that people from the LGBTQIA+ community express who they are with a rainbow flag. The COC wants AVROTROS to ask the EBU to withdraw the new flag rules, but the broadcaster has decided not to do so.

AVROTROS said it regrets “that symbols that are linked to inclusivity and freedom of expression, such as the rainbow flag, have now become part of this measure.” AVROTROS said it finds it “important that everyone, regardless of origin, religion, belief, or orientation, can be themselves and express themselves freely. Freedom of expression and inclusivity are essential to us.” Nevertheless, the Dutch broadcaster will not fight this measure.

The EBU also said on Sunday that Claude, the Dutch participant in the Eurovision Song Contest, may only show the Dutch flag on stage and in the Green Room. If the singer also wants to show the flag of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he lived until he was 9 years old, he must do so outside these “official” areas.

During the opening ceremony and on stage in the Eurovision Village, participants in the singing competition are also only allowed ot carry the flag of the country they represent. The Eurovision Village is the official fan zone of the Eurovision Song Contest. In other places in the Eurovision venues, participants can wear other flags, as long as they are not prohibited by Swiss law.