Pécs Pride was a celebration of freedom and acceptance

Despite the police ban, this year's Pécs Pride was a complete success. The peaceful demonstration held for the acceptance of LGBTQ+ people and freedom of assembly was secured by the police in an exemplary manner – domestic human rights organizations acknowledged.

Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental right. One of the most important achievements of democracy is the freedom to protest. Therefore, the amendment to the Assembly Act adopted earlier this year attacked the very foundations of democracy, which goes far beyond the disenfranchisement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. The false and despicable incitement against members of the LGBTQ+ community is also illegal and intolerable.

Four weeks ago, the police banned this year's Pécs Pride, and the Kúria (supreme court) upheld the ban. Nevertheless, people who love freedom and stand up for the equality of sexual and gender minorities held the demonstration on Saturday. More people than ever before came and marched together on the sunny streets of Pécs.

The official ban did not succeed in confusing or intimidating the protesters. In line with the motto of the march – "We will not bow to fear" – the organizer insisted on holding the event despite the ban. Amnesty International Hungary, Háttér Society, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ) provided him legal support.

Contrary to initial concerns, the police did an exemplary job. They ensured the safety of the gathering from start to finish. When the march was disrupted at Széchenyi Square and Aradi Vértanúk Square, they responded professionally and proportionately to the troublemakers. The police proved once again, as they have done on numerous occasions in recent years, that they are capable and willing to professionally secure assemblies even in difficult situations.

Civil society organizations warn that although Budapest Pride and Pécs Pride were unprecedentedly successful, with the police showing their citizen-friendly side, the shameful amendment to the Assembly Act in March still allows peaceful demonstrations to be banned and dispersed. The police's banning decisions and the Kúria's anti-freedom rulings also draw attention to the immediate danger of arbitrariness. Human rights defenders are doing everything they can to ensure that peaceful assemblies cannot be banned under the pretext of "protecting children", and that this false and harmful legal provision is scrapped.

In the meantime, human rights defenders are asking those who suffer adverse consequences in the future for participating in Pécs Pride to write to jogsegely@diverseyouthnetwork.eu, where they can expect legal assistance.

(Fotó: Events in Baranya)