As Slovakia celebrates Pride across the country, including in Malacky on June 21, Banská Bystrica and Prešov on June 28, Bratislava on July 19, and Košice on August 23, we, the undersigned embassies and institutions, stand firmly with the LGBTI community who are an integral part of Slovak society and continue to strive for full equality. Pride is a powerful reminder that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, regardless of how they identify themselves or whom they love.

The tragic attack on Tepláreň in 2022 reminded us that discrimination, hate speech and violence are deeply interconnected. We continue to condemn all forms of discrimination, harassment and violence. We emphasize that standing up for the rights of all people leads to freer, more prosperous and more secure societies.

International and regional instruments on human rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union, guarantee the universal respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These instruments affirm that the rights of LGBTI persons are human rights. They are non-negotiable. They are indivisible. Human rights are the cornerstone of our free and democratic societies.

To the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people of Slovakia and around the world: we see you. We stand with you.