Toespraak staatssecretaris Mariëlle Paul aan de vooravond van Budapest Pride
Staatssecretaris Mariëlle Paul sprak op vrijdag 27 juni 2025 in het stadhuis van Boedapest aan de vooravond van de 30ste Budapest Pride op zaterdag 28 juni 2025. Zij was te gast op een receptie georganiseerd door burgemeester Gergely Karácsony van Boedapest, ter ere van de Pride en de rechten van lhbtiq+ personen.
De toespraak is in het Engels gehouden. Het gesproken woord geldt.
Dear all,
Last summer, I had the honour of joining the Youth Pride boat through the canals of Amsterdam. Quite special, as my youth is already a few years behind me.
I stood between two young men. At one point, one of them suddenly stopped talking.
We just came out from under the first of many bridges and saw the crowds lining the quays—cheering us on.
The young man next to me had tears in his eyes.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He nodded and said, “Yes, these are happy tears. I feel that it’s truly okay that I am who I am.”
That feeling of freedom and acceptance—don’t we all deserve it? The freedom to be who you are, and to love who you want to love?
I wish that for everyone. But more than that: it is a fundamental right for everyone in the European Union.
I came to Budapest to express my support for all of you. You who bravely stand up for what should be a given in Europe. And that is: to be treated equally, to be safe, and to be able to fulfil your right to protest. And yes, the right to a joyful, free Pride March.
My presence here is also a statement against the undemocratic actions of the Hungarian government. And I’m not alone.
I stand in solidarity alongside the many others who have traveled to Budapest from countries such as Spain, Ireland, Belgium, and France — including mayors, Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, and several ministers.
I am here with the explicit political support of the Dutch House of Representatives. They represent millions of Dutch citizens who are following your struggle and supporting your rights.
I am certain that, also in Hungary, many more people stand with you than may appear at first glance. Just wait—encouraged by your courage, they too will find the strength to speak up.
You are showing that resistance is possible, even when the personal cost is high. You speak from the heart and stand your ground with the democratic tools still at your disposal.
You are also reaching out to your friends in Europe. And we’ve got your back.
We in the Netherlands are, of course, not going to interfere in Hungary’s internal affairs.
But we can hold the Hungarian government accountable for the binding European commitments it has made—commitments to shared values like the rule of law, democracy, and equal treatment.
Hungary signed up to those freely, when joining the EU.
And now that this Hungarian government is violating those commitments, it is also undermining the European alliance.
That’s why we urge the European Commission to act in its capacity as guardian of our European treaties—to use every tool at its disposal, legal and financial.
We say: withhold EU funds until the Hungarian government takes visible steps toward an independent judiciary, fighting corruption, ensuring rights for LGBTIQ+ people, and guaranteeing media and press freedom.
If my request for a meeting is accepted, I will deliver this message directly to my Hungarian counterpart as well.
Some people say: “Pride isn’t for me,” or “I’m not LGBTIQ+. So, this doesn’t concern me.”
To them I say:
- if the right to protest is restricted just because the government dislikes the message;
- if equal treatment disappears;
- if civil society is pushed aside;
then one day, it could be your turn.
This is about your human rights too.
This is, at its essence, a question of how a democracy rooted in the rule of law should uphold the principles of equality and freedom.
Dear all,
Thirty years ago, Budapest held its very first Pride—the first in Central Europe.
I live in Amsterdam, and I’m proud that in 2001, couples in my city were the first in the world to marry under a law that made marriage accessible to everyone, no matter who they loved.
Orange has and always will be part of the rainbow.
But I’m well aware: progress is never guaranteed —the Netherlands included. We have to keep fighting for it.
Being part of the European family means sometimes hearing hard truths from your brothers and sisters. Human rights are not up for negotiation.
Whatever way you celebrate Pride tomorrow, I wish you all the courage and joy in the world.
And above all, I hope you feel what that young man felt. The one standing proudly on the Youth Pride boat in Amsterdam: It’s truly okay that I am who I am!
Thank you.