Hungary’s parliament is set to vote on a controversial constitutional amendment that would permanently ban public events organized by LGBTQ+ communities, including the widely attended Budapest Pride. The amendment, which is expected to pass on Monday, is viewed by critics as a significant step in restricting the freedoms of assembly and expression, further targeting LGBTQ+ rights under Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government.
Amendment to Ban Pride Events and Deny LGBTQ+ Rights
The proposed amendment is the latest move by Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party to crack down on LGBTQ+ rights. If passed, it would enshrine into the Hungarian Constitution a permanent ban on events such as Pride, a popular gathering in Budapest that attracts thousands each year. The legislation also seeks to provide a legal basis for denying the gender identities of transgender individuals and the existence of intersex people, individuals born with atypical sexual characteristics.
A two-thirds majority from the Fidesz party, which holds substantial power in Hungary’s parliament, is likely to approve the amendment. This would ensure the continued suppression of LGBTQ+ events and further enforce the nation’s controversial laws against promoting homosexuality to minors.
Legal Backing for Restricting Assembly and Identity Rights
This constitutional change comes after a controversial law passed in March that made it illegal to hold or attend events that violate Hungary’s “child protection” law. Critics argue that the law unfairly targets LGBTQ+ communities, criminalizing events like Budapest Pride. Those found in violation of the law face fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (approximately £424), and authorities are empowered to use facial recognition technology to track attendees.
Legal experts argue that these measures violate Hungary’s own constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. However, the amendment includes a clause stating that children’s rights to moral, physical, and spiritual development take precedence over other rights, including assembly.
Discriminatory Effects on Transgender and Intersex People
The amendment also includes a controversial statement that “a person’s sex at birth is a biological characteristic and can be either male or female.” This statement aligns with a previous law that prohibits same-sex adoption, defining marriage strictly between a man and a woman. The latest legal development aims to further marginalize transgender and intersex people by denying their gender identities and ignoring their existence.
The United Nations Human Rights Office estimates that 1.7% of the global population is born with intersex traits, but Hungary’s new amendment disregards this population, reinforcing a binary view of gender.
Protests Erupt as Pride Ban Advances
The Hungarian government’s move has sparked widespread protests across the country. Thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in opposition, demanding the restoration of their rights to assemble and express themselves freely. Demonstrators have staged sit-ins and blocked major roads in Budapest to challenge the new laws, calling the proposed amendment a form of “fascism” rather than child protection.
Local organizers of Budapest Pride have criticized the government for trying to silence LGBTQ+ voices and stated that the legislation is not about protecting children but rather about suppressing freedoms. In response to the vote, the opposition Momentum party has vowed to prevent the vote from taking place by attempting to blockade parliament. The party accused Orban’s government of pushing Hungary down a dangerous path, comparing the country’s policies to those of Russia.
International Pressure and EU Criticism
International human rights organizations have strongly condemned the amendment, with the Hungarian Helsinki Committee warning that it marks a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to suppress dissent. Other groups, such as the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International, have called on the European Commission to take action against Hungary, claiming that the amendment breaches EU laws protecting fundamental rights.
The European Union has been critical of Hungary’s increasingly illiberal policies, and this amendment further complicates Hungary’s relationship with the EU. Critics argue that the Hungarian government is actively undermining democratic norms and human rights protections in the country.
Further Restrictions on Citizenship and National Sovereignty
In addition to the LGBTQ+ restrictions, the amendment introduces provisions that allow for the suspension of Hungarian citizenship if an individual is considered a threat to the country’s national security or sovereignty. This measure targets dual nationals from non-EU countries, allowing for the temporary suspension of their citizenship for up to 10 years.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has framed this move as necessary to protect Hungary from foreign influence and to safeguard its sovereignty. Orban, who is often compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has long opposed external pressure on Hungary’s domestic policies, particularly in areas related to media freedom and civil rights.
What’s Next?
The vote on the constitutional amendment is scheduled for Monday, with protests and demonstrations expected to continue in the days following. As Hungary faces mounting international pressure, it remains to be seen whether the EU will take further action against Orban’s government or if the Hungarian people will be able to successfully push back against these sweeping restrictions.
