EULEX showed once again its commitment to the promotion and protection of the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people (LGBTI) by attending the Pride Parade held today in Pristina, this year under the slogan "Whomever Your Heart Beats For".

EULEX Deputy Head of Operations Pillar Christian Wessman attended the event together with other EULEX staff to reiterate EULEX’s support for equal treatment and respect of the LGBTI community, as everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, must be free to live without prejudice and discrimination.

The principle of non-discrimination is one of the core values of the European Union and also inspires the EULEX Mission’s  activities in support of Kosovo law enforcement agencies.

LGBTI rights are enshrined in the EU legal framework as the EU is committed to combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights provides that "any discrimination based on any ground such as sexual orientation shall be prohibited.”