Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has declared that this year’s Pride event in Budapest should not take place, revealing his government’s increasing hostility toward LGBTQ+ rights. The ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill to the Hungarian parliament, aimed at banning the longstanding annual Pride celebration that has occurred for the past 30 years in the capital city.
The proposed legislation, as reported by Dnes.bg, cites the protection of children as the primary rationale for the ban, stating that any assembly that is deemed harmful to children will not be permitted. The bill seeks to amend existing laws regarding the right to assembly, creating a framework under which authorities can prohibit such events.
In addition to the assembly ban, the legislation includes provisions allowing law enforcement to utilise facial recognition technology to identify individuals participating in the Pride march, which typically takes place along Andrássy Avenue, a prominent thoroughfare in Budapest. This move has raised concerns about privacy and the potential for increased policing of the LGBTQ+ community during the event.
Orban's current campaign against LGBTQ+ rights aligns with his broader Christian conservative agenda, which he has pursued since taking office in 2010. In recent weeks, he has publicly denounced LGBTQ+ individuals and announced plans to restrict foreign funding for various entities, including media outlets, opposition politicians, and non-governmental organisations in Hungary. This concerted effort appears to be a strategic move as Hungary approaches elections early next year.
In a statement about the legislative changes, Orban asserted the need for societal protection: "It is prohibited to hold an assembly that violates the ban established in the law for the protection of children," underscoring his administration's intent to justify the bill as a measure for safeguarding youth.
Source: Noah Wire Services