BRUSSELS, July 9, 2008  –  There has been condemnation from Members of the European Parliament following the violence at Budapest Gay Pride at the weekend.

Pride was attacked by right-wing extremists who threw fire bombs, eggs filled with acid, excrement and other objects at both police and participants.

Even a Hungarian MEP, Katalin Lévai, experienced first-hand the violence when she was attacked during the parade, it has emerged.

A window of her car was smashed when a heavy stone was thrown at her vehicle.

“It is unacceptable in our democracies that microscopic groups of the extreme right may threaten and attack an important minority while it practices the universal right to freedom,” she said yesterday.

“We must step up against groups advocating hatred and violence.

“I will continue to work hard in order to stop the spread of radicalism in Hungary – and in Europe,” she pledged.

The Parliament’s all-party ‘intergroup’ on gay and lesbian rights strongly denounced the Budapest Pride violence.  The group said in a statement that it was “disappointed by the Hungarian government’s inability” to guarantee the safety of their citizens – and visitors to the country.

“I am deeply disappointed and concerned of Hungary’s inability to deal with extremists,” said Michael Cashman (PES), president of the intergroup.

“This must be referred to the European Commission and Commission’s President,” he said last night.

Sirpa Pietikäinen, a vice-president of the intergroup for the EPP-ED added: “Police forces again, like last year, failed to protect citizens exercising their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly, probably due to inadequate resources.

“I will demand an explanation from the Hungarian government and I will raise this issue with the European Commission.”

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Posted: 9 July 2008 at 00:00 (UK time)