Common Declaration in Support of Baltic Pride

On the occasion of the Baltic Pride 2016, which will take place in Vilnius on June 18th, 2016, we express our support for efforts to raise public awareness of the issues affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) communities in the three Baltic States.

In this regard, we reaffirm the inherent dignity of each individual as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are universal and apply to all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Respect for these fundamental values, which are also enshrined in the framework of the Council of Europe and the European Union as a community of values, obliges Governments to protect all citizens from violence and discrimination and to ensure they enjoy equal opportunities. For this, we need to keep working together to create an environment of tolerance and acceptance.

We pay tribute to the important work of the LGBTI communities in the Baltic States, as well as the work of all those in government and outside who seek to ensure Human Rights for LGBTI persons and end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

LGBTI rights are human rights, which everyone should support and respect.

The Embassies of:

Austria
Canada
Czechia
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Italy
the Netherlands
Norway
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
the United Kingdom
the United States
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania.