![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/abuwjaawap.cloudimg.io\/v7\/_lgbtqnation-assets_\/assets\/2025\/05\/img-20240809-wa0000.jpg?auto=format&auto=compress&fit=crop&gravity=face&w=50&h=50\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nEurope is getting more frustrated with Hungary’s regressions on human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Alex Bollinger<\/a>\u00a0(He\/Him)May 27, 2025 (lgbtqnation.com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most European Union countries, including the two most powerful, France and Germany, have signed a letter asking the E.U.\u2019s executive arm, the European Commission (E.C.), to crack down on Hungary after the central European nation banned Pride celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are highly alarmed by these developments,\u201d the letter states, calling on the E.C. to \u201cexpeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal\u201d to get Hungary to roll back its Pride ban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hungary passes constitutional amendment banning Pride as protesters hold \u201cGray Pride\u201d protest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n In April<\/a>, Hungary\u2019s Parliament passed the Assembly Act, which bans events that involve a \u201cdepiction or promotion\u201d of homosexuality if minors might see it. The law stipulates a fine of around $550 for attending such an event and allows law enforcement officials to use facial recognition technology to track down people who attend. The law was introduced on Monday and passed on Tuesday in an expedited process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law is an extension of Hungary\u2019s 2021 \u201cchild protection\u201d law<\/a> that bans depictions of homosexuality to people under the age of 18. This includes mentioning LGBTQ+ people at schools and depictions in the media of \u201cgender deviating from sex at birth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Queer Hungarians responded by protesting the new law and the E.U. condemned Hungary<\/a> for violating LGBTQ+ people\u2019s \u201cright to gather peacefully.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But now some European countries \u2013 including Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden \u2013 want the E.C. to take more concrete measures to get Hungary to repeal the Pride ban, even though the letter doesn\u2019t say exactly what it wants the E.C. to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One measure, according to Politico<\/em><\/a>, could be what is called an \u201cinterim measure,\u201d which is like an injunction that prevents the Pride ban from being enforced. The measure would need to be implemented soon, as Pride organizers in Budapest plan to hold the celebration on June 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The E.C. is already withholding 18 billion euros<\/a> (around $20.4 billion) in E.U. funds over rule-of-law violations as the country\u2019s authoritarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban increases his personal power over civil society, including his government\u2019s crackdown on blacklisted non-governmental organizations receiving funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRule of law is a fundamental part of E.U. membership,\u201d European Commissioner Michael McGrath said<\/a> after a visit to Budapest. \u201cIt\u2019s not an optional extra and it must be respected by all member states. And the situation in Hungary is just not acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the fact that the E.C. is already withholding funds from Hungary could make it harder for the E.C. to take further action on the Pride ban. European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib reportedly rejected a call<\/a> to push for an interim measure against Hungary, citing a lack of support from the rest of the E.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another measure that the E.U. is reportedly considering is the \u201cnuclear option\u201d of removing Hungary\u2019s voting power in the European Council, which it is also considering due to Hungary\u2019s consistent votes against sending aid to Ukraine. Four-fifths of E.U. countries would have to vote that Hungary violated the E.U. treaty, and then all countries besides Hungary would have to vote to remove Hungary\u2019s voting rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter<\/strong><\/a> and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Europe is getting more frustrated with Hungary’s regressions on human rights. Alex Bollinger\u00a0(He\/Him)May 27, 2025 (lgbtqnation.com) Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister gives a press conferenece on the results of EU meeting in Brussels, Belgium on Dec. 19, 2024 | Shutterstock\/Alexandros Michailidis Most European Union countries, including the two most powerful,… Continue reading
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Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister gives a press conferenece on the results of EU meeting in Brussels, Belgium on Dec. 19, 2024 | Shutterstock\/Alexandros Michailidis<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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