We are publishing the press release of Buzás-Hábel Géza the director of Diverse Youth Network without changes:
“We will not bow to fear” – We will organise the 5th Pécs Pride even against the official ban.
In Pécs on October 4, 2025 – This year we will organise Pécs Pride for the fifth time as the closing event of the Freedom of My Identity Human Rights Festival, even though the police have issued a decree on September 5th which prohibits the parade. We firmly stand up for the fact that human rights, including the freedom of assembly, cannot be restricted arbitrarily.
The prohibition did not come as a surprise. In light of the events in Budapest, we were expecting that the authorities in Pécs would end up making a similar decision. With this in mind, we are preparing for possible legal consequences and necessary responses, so we can protect our rights in every circumstance.
It is important to highlight that the decree is not legally binding. We turned to the highest level of jurisdiction, to the Kúria.
With the legal help of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Amnesty International Hungary and the Háttér Society, we went against this decree of prohibition, and we will take this matter even to the European Court of Human Rights’ at Strasbourg if we have to.
We will hold Pécs Pride. We do not wish to rely on political parties or on the support of local governments – the movement is a civil, communal and independent movement. Our belief is that an event such as this cannot be dependent on the will of political actors. We are led by the interest of the community and the principles of the rule of law.
We believe it is important for everyone interested to be able to participate in the event in a well-informed and conscious way. With the help of civil right protective organisations, we will publish online materials – so called “little guides” – that contain information on important facts about the right of assembly, the legal risks and what to do in case you need to act.
If the result is a legally binding ban, participation might be risky so the legal awareness and being informed as a participant is extremely important. Despite this, we encourage the queer community and their allies to join the event and stand up together for the democratic rights and values that belong to everyone.
We are committed to having a peaceful and safe event and we still view local organisations as partners since it is in our common interest for the rights and safety of the participants to prevail. In the current political atmosphere we think it is particularly important that the police ensure the right of peaceful gathering in accordance with legislation. We expect them to make a difference between disruptive and radical actors from the peaceful protestors and to react proportionately, legally and with the participants’ safety kept in mind in every scenario.
The police had expressed their intention to cooperate. We view this as a positive sign, and we trust that they serve the safety of the participants in practice as well.
This year’s Pécs Pride has resulted in an international interest as well. Several representatives of the European Parliament and foreign human rights organisations and Pride organisers have expressed their intention to participate. We are connected to several European Embassies and diplomats who have ensured the community of Pécs of their support and solidarity.
Translation by Panna
