European countries issue travel warnings for banned Budapest Pride
Following the news that the government-banned Budapest Pride march is still to take place, several European countries have issued travel warnings for their citizens planning to attend the event in the Hungarian capital on Saturday.
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán earlier prohibited the event, citing child protection as the reason.
However, the organisers have not backed down and now expect tens of thousands of people from across the continent to attend the event in the Hungarian capital.
Many European countries have warned their citizens that they may face fines and additional risks if they attend the Budapest Pride event.
The UK government website noted that the event remains illegal under Hungarian law, stating that participants could be identified using facial recognition technology and fined.
"With policing arrangements for an illegal Pride march unclear and counter demonstrations planned, there is a heightened risk to participants' safety," the statement says.
Hungarian authorities said earlier that anyone participating could face a fine of up to €500.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry also warned travellers of the possibility of being fined. Belgium also issued a warning, highlighting that the demonstration was prohibited and anyone joining could face fines.
"It remains unclear under what circumstances the Pride March will take place," the statement said, adding that participation in a demonstration is the responsibility of each individual.
"We advise any participants to exercise the necessary vigilance and to keep up to date with the current situation through the media and social media of the embassy in Budapest.
'Everyone should decide what they want'
The Belgian government has issued a further warning to its citizens about potential counter-demonstrations.
The far-right Our Homeland party has called for its supporters to occupy bridges in central Budapest to prevent the Pride event from taking place. Furthermore, the party has already been issued a police permit to gather and use the same route that the Pride is supposed to march along.
The announced far-right gathering has raised concerns over possible violence, according to authorities.
"In particular, in the interest of their safety, any participants are advised to keep their distance from possible counter-demonstrations and, in the event of disturbances, to follow the guidelines of the local police," the statement of the Belgian foreign ministry said.
France also issued a statement informing people that Hungary had banned the march, and participants would be monitored by smart cameras and face fines of €500.
Orbán hinted that police would not disperse the crowd, but participants would face legal consequences.
"We are adults, and I think everyone should decide what they want, keep to the rules, or if they don't, they should face the legal consequences," Orbán said.
At least 70 MEPs from various political groups, along with European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lhabib, will participate in the Pride event.
On Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Orbán to lift the ban on the Pride march.
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