***Declaration of the Presidium of CESI***

We, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) and the Hungarian Civil Servants and Public Employees Trade Union (MKKSZ) say ‘No’ to Hungary’s anti-LGBT bill!

We, the members of the Presidium of CESI, speaking on behalf of CESI, voice of more than 40 trade union organisations and over 5 million workers across Europe including in Hungary,

and we, the leadership of the MKKSZ, representing 8,000 Hungarian civil servants,

strongly condemn the bill passed by the Hungarian Parliament on Tuesday, June 15, to ban the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality and LGBT rights to minors.

The law can de facto lead to far-reaching changes in educational programmes, the media and cultural life – contrary to the principles of equality, diversity, and tolerance which our societies are built on.

The International and European declarations, covenants, treaties, and charters, as well as the legal orders of all Member States forbid discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

But the Hungarian bill is also a matter of moral, ethics and responsibility. Because it is not only about discrimination. It also about the indirect incitement to hostility, hatred, and violence. And Europe’s painful history stands as a memorial for such incitements to never happen again.

We therefore urge the Hungarian President János Áder not to sign the law. And we urge the European Union, but also the Hungarian people, to stand up against it.

If the bill is nevertheless enforced, the European Commission must take all available steps to seek to sanction the Orbán government for non-respect of a fundamental value of the EU.

The European Parliament and the Member States, acting in the Council, must show a united front on this matter and support the European Commission.

It is of utmost importance that we all remain credible defenders and powerful enforcers of human rights and non-discrimination.

Say ‘No’ to the Hungarian anti-LGBT bill!

Joint Declaration of CESI and MKKS on the Hungarian anti-LGBT bill – PDF version