European Elections 2009: be bothered and vote for a human rights friendly European Parliament!
Today is the first day of the European Parliament Elections 2009 which are taking place across 27 EU Member States until 7 June. ILGA-Europe calls on every EU citizen who cares about human rights to go to the polls and vote for the candidates who are committed to equality.
835 candidatesfrom 25 EU countries have already signed ILGA-Europe’s European Elections Pledge. The Pledge is part of our Be Bothered! European Elections campaign and was launched a few weeks prior to the elections. The candidates were invited to support and sign our 10-point Pledge which summarises the key issues that ILGA-Europe wants to see advanced at the EU level over the next five years. The Pledge will remain open for signatures for MEPs after the elections and will be the basis for our work with new the European Parliament.
Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, said:
“We sincerely thank all 835 candidates from 25 EU Member States who have already signed the Pledge for their support and commitment and hope there are many more who will join. The number of the signatures and the spectrum of the political rainbow represented are truly impressive!
We also want to thank the entire ILGA-Europe family – our members and allies, the staff and the board who did a fantastic job approaching the political parties and individual candidates, engaging in debates and gaining support. Without their energy and determination this campaign would not be nearly as successful.
Last but not least, we urge each and every individual who is ‘bothered’ about human rights to get out this weekend and vote! Every single vote for equality and human rights counts and is important. It only takes a few minutes. Remember, if you are not bothered, someone else will be. Can we afford our voices not to be heard?”
Ends
For more information please contact
Juris Lavrikovs at + 32 2 609 54 16 / + 32 496 708 375
Notes for editors:
(1) ILGA-Europe is the European Region of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association and works for equality and human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans & intersex people in Europe: www.ilga-europe.org
(2) Be Bothered! campaign, including our interactive EU map which shows who in each EU Member State signed the Pledge:
www.ilga-europe.org/EuropeanElections2009
