Hungarian Authorities Ban Annual LGBTQ+ Pride March Amid Controversy
Hungarian police have prohibited the annual LGBTQ+ Pride march set for this Saturday, following the enactment of legislation prioritizing the protection of children over the right to assembly, reports 24brussels.
The decision has sparked significant unrest, leading both the U.K. and Canada to revise their travel advisories for Hungary. The advisories caution that participants in the march may face criminal penalties or fines under recent laws that ban Pride events and permit police to employ facial recognition technology against attendees.
On May 26, a coalition of 16 EU nations—including the Netherlands, Germany, and France—condemned the ban in a joint statement, urging the European Commission to take action against Hungary’s legislation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently issued a video statement demanding that Hungarian authorities reverse their decision. “I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead,” she stated, reaffirming her support for the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary and beyond.
In response, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the European Union’s interference, asserting that the Commission should not involve itself in the legal matters of member states. He emphasized that the situation is one where EU institutions have no authority.
During an interview on Kossuth Radio, Orbán reiterated his stance, cautioning that those who violate the ban will face “legal consequences.” He advised individuals to adhere to the law, stating, “We are adults, and I recommend that everyone should decide what they want, keep to the rules … and if they don’t, then they should face the clear legal consequences.”
