Statement from ILGA-Europe on the Berlin CSD terrorist attack

We are deeply saddened by the deadly attack at Berlin's Christopher Street Day celebrations on Saturday, and condemn the violence.

Our thoughts are with the person who lost her life, everyone who was injured, their families and loved ones, and all those who were at CSD and are dealing with the shock and trauma of what happened.

We stand with Berlin's LGBTI community and everyone who came together to celebrate Pride and to exercise their right to be visible, to assemble and to stand up for equality.

As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, CSD stands for "freedom, dignity, and equality - the fundamental values of the EU. Everyone should be able to live, love and stand up for their rights without fear."

This is what Pride represents. It is also what democracy must protect.

This tragedy must not be used to fuel hatred against migrants, foreigners or Muslim communities. We reject any attempt to exploit what happened to divide communities, scapegoat minorities or turn one group against another.

LGBTI people must not be instrumentalised to spread hatred against others. Nor should the existence of racism, Islamophobia or anti-migrant hatred be used to minimise the threats faced by LGBTI people. The rights, safety and dignity of all people must be defended.

Across Europe, minorities are increasingly being targeted, scapegoated and used as political tools. When hatred is normalised, it contributes to a wider climate of division and dehumanisation.

The answer to an attack on people exercising their freedom cannot be less freedom. The answer to hatred cannot be more hatred. And the answer to violence cannot be to turn minorities against one another.

Protecting Pride means protecting the freedom to come together, to be visible and to stand up for equality. Protecting democracy means defending those freedoms for everyone.

We stand with the people of Berlin and with the LGBTI community. We will continue to work towards a Europe where everyone can live, love and stand up for their rights without fear.