New Hungarian law could ban Pride events – majority of EU countries urge rethink

Belfast Telegraph

27-05-2025

Countries including EU heavyweights France, Germany and Spain expressed concern, in a declaration, that the law passed in April allows for fines on people organising or taking part in Pride events, and the use of facial recognition software to identify them.
'We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights' enshrined in the EU treaties, they said.
They called on the European Commission — the powerful executive branch that monitors the respect of EU laws — 'to expeditiously make full use of the rule-of-law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly'.
The declaration was published on social media as ministers for EU affairs gathered in Brussels for yet more talks on the way that Hungary's staunchly nationalist government had introduced legislation that its partners saw as undermining rule-of-law standards.
'I think it's time that we consider the next steps, because this is getting pointless in continuing these hearings,' said Jessica Rosencrantz, the EU affairs minister of Sweden, which signed up to the declaration.
Ms Rosencrantz said that the 27-nation EU was 'not just a geographical union but a union based on values, and in that sense we have to act strongly against countries not living up to our common principles'.
Hungary's EU affairs minister, Janos Boka, said that the new law had simply been misunderstood.
'There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,' Mr Boka told reporters.
'I hope that after these discussions, my colleagues around the table will walk out with a more nuanced view on the Hungarian legislation.'
The constitutional amendment passed in April declares that children's rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble.
Hungary's contentious 'child protection' legislation prohibits the 'depiction or promotion' of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.
The EU commissioner responsible for democracy, justice and rule of law, Michael McGrath, said that the 'willingness is there' to take action against Hungary.
He said that 'a comprehensive analysis of the relevant legislation is under way now'.
Mr McGrath also expressed 'very serious concerns' about another piece of draft legislation in Hungary. This bill would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalise and potentially ban organisations it deems a threat to national sovereignty.
The draft law marks a significant escalation of the government's long-running crackdown on critical media and non-governmental organisations.
It would allow Hungary's controversial sovereignty protection office to identify organisations that influence public debate or voter sentiment in ways it considers detrimental to Hungary's interests.
'We believe it is a breach of EU law, including a breach of internal market freedoms and also a breach of the charter of fundamental rights of the European Union,' Mr McGrath said.
'We stand ready to use the tools at our disposal' to oppose it, he added.
As part of its many legal disputes with prime minister Viktor Orban's government, the commission has deprived Hungary of access to billions of euros in EU funds, in part due to fears that the money may be misused.
'At this point in time, about 18 billion euros (£15 billion) is not available to Hungary. That's because of their own rule-of-law breaches. I wish it were otherwise,' Mr McGrath told reporters.
Despite rosy government projections, Hungary's economy has for at least two years been in a state of stagnation, partly due to the frozen EU funds. Struggling under high inflation, Hungary's GDP dipped back into negative territory in the first quarter of 2025, the only contraction in the EU.
Hungary has also drifted ever further from the EU fold over the war in Ukraine, repeatedly holding up the passage of multibillion-euro aid packages and sanctions. But its European partners are growing more inclined to proceed without Mr Orban's government.