Budapest Pride: Dutch politician Paul refuses to join, citing safety concerns
Caretaker State Secretary Mariëlle Paul of the VVD party announced Friday that she would not participate in the Budapest Pride march, citing uncertainty about the situation and the risk that participants could be arrested. Paul traveled to Budapest to address Hungary’s human rights record on behalf of the Dutch cabinet, NOS reports.
“I had already indicated that I would make my decision based on the situation around the march,” Paul said. She described the circumstances as too unclear for her “as a representative of the Dutch cabinet.”
This year, Hungary formally banned the Pride march by law and imposed additional restrictions on LGBTQ rights. Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not change the official travel advisory for Hungary because of the event, travelers were warned that joining the march could result in a fine of 500 euros.
Paul said she still aimed to support the LGBTQ community during her visit. “Through conversations with the organizations behind the Pride, with human rights organizations, with the mayor, and with European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, I was able to deliver a very clear message on behalf of the cabinet: Hungary must adhere to strict European agreements on values. That you are free across Europe to be who you are and to love whomever you want,” she said.
Her decision not to join the march drew sharp criticism from LGBTQ advocates and organizers.
Hans Verhoeven, an activist and founder of Pride Amsterdam, called Paul’s reasoning “completely inappropriate and unbelievable.” “That uncertainty about the situation applies to everyone,” Verhoeven told NOS. “And the risk she would face here is nothing compared to the gross violations of European regulations that Hungary is committing against the LGBTQ community.”
Suzanne van de Laar, chair of Pride Amsterdam, was also present in Budapest and said she was astonished by Paul’s absence. “I just texted her to ask why she isn’t here. I can’t comprehend it,” van de Laar told NOS. “The government always says: we stand behind you, but then they have to show that.”
Philip Tijsma of COC Nederland called the decision disappointing. “It would have been a stronger statement if she had walked along,” he said. “Fortunately, she has spoken with people there, but it would have been more powerful if she had participated.”
Despite the official ban, Budapest’s progressive mayor, who opposes Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, pledged that the event would continue. After police announced the prohibition, the mayor repeated that the march would still go ahead.
