Brussels, July 27, 2026 – ILGA-Europe, Europe’s largest LGBTI rights organisation, said today it is “deeply saddened” by the deadly attack at Berlin’s Christopher Street Day celebrations, and called on political leaders across Europe to reject any attempt to use the tragedy to scapegoat minorities or fuel division.
A vehicle drove into the crowd near Berlin’s CSD event, killing one person and injuring dozens more, some critically. The organisation’s thoughts are with the person who lost their life, everyone injured, their families and loved ones, and all those at CSD who are now dealing with the shock and trauma of what happened.
“We condemn the violence, and 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,” ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Chaber said.
In the aftermath of the attack, the 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 freedom is what Pride represents,” Chaber added. “It is also what democracy must protect.
No exploitation of the tragedy
ILGA-Europe warned against any attempt to weaponise the attack. “This tragedy must not be used to fuel hatred against migrants, foreigners or Muslim communities. We reject any attempt by anti-democratic actors to exploit what happened to divide communities, scapegoat minorities or turn one group against another,” Chaber said.
“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.”
A wider climate of division
According to ILGA-Europe, the attack on CSD brings into sharp focus a broader pattern across the continent, in which 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,” Chaber said. “We must refuse this politics of fear.”
“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.”
Standing with Berlin
“Protecting Pride means protecting the freedom to come together, to be visible and to stand up for equality,” ILGA-Europe said. “Protecting democracy means defending those freedoms for everyone.”
“We stand with the people of Berlin and with the LGBTI community. We will continue to defend a Europe where everyone can live, love and stand up for their rights without fear.”