Netherlands embassy sends open message of support to LGBTQI+ community

Last week, the streets of Amsterdam were filled with equality, colour, and a festive atmosphere as the city hosted Pride Amsterdam. This year’s event carried special significance — Amsterdam officially won the right to host WorldPride 2026.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Azerbaijan marked the occasion with a Facebook post, stating that the country “firmly stands for the protection and promotion of human rights for all, including the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.”

This is one of the rare instances in which a foreign diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan has so openly expressed support for LGBTQI+ rights. In a country where the topic remains taboo in public spaces and where the state has yet to adopt any protective legislation, such statements carry weight.

According to ILGA-Europe’s 2025 Rainbow Map, the Netherlands ranks 13th in Europe with 63.82%, achieving high scores in Civil Society Space (100%) and Family Rights (85.67%). Azerbaijan, by contrast, sits at the very bottom of the ranking — 48th place with just 2.25%, scoring 0% in areas such as Equality & Non-Discrimination, Hate Crime & Hate Speech, and Family Rights.

WorldPride is an international festival aimed at increasing LGBTQ+ visibility and fostering global solidarity for equality. First held in Rome in 2000, it is hosted by a different city each time, featuring events ranging from parades and open-air concerts to exhibitions and panel discussions.

The Netherlands Embassy’s message reflects not only pride in its own country’s progress, but also a commitment to universal human rights — including the rights of the LGBTQI+ community living in Azerbaijan.

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