Bologna, May 21, 2015 Andrea Giuliano is a gay Italian man living in Budapest who has been persecuted by Hungarian neo-Nazi groups for a year. He has received numerous threats and intimidation, and has been raided by mobsters who have visited his home and workplace. After demonstrating at the Budapest Pride Parade, holding a flag mocking one of these violent groups, he is living in a nightmare. He has lost his job, is housed in different homes, and is rightly worried and scared. In June, he will face a trial brought by his persecutors for "defamation," while his complaint against the neo-Nazi groups has not yet been brought to trial.
Italian LGBT organizations are calling on the Italian government to urgently intervene with the Hungarian government to ensure Andrea's safety. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has distinguished himself with his xenophobic and racist laws and campaigns, and the EU is conducting several investigations into human rights violations in that country. For all of this, we believe our government must act resolutely and clearly.
We expect prompt and effective responses and, above all, concrete solidarity from our country towards one of our citizens in real danger.