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EU Lawmakers to Defy Hungary’s Ban by Attending Budapest Pride

Brussels is considering sanctions for breaching human rights norms after human rights groups filed a court challenge to Hungary’s ban on Pride marches

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LGBTQ+ protesters staged a 'grey pride' in Budapest (Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
People attend the Budapest Pride march in Budapest, Hungary, July 23, 2022. REUTERS/Marton Monus/File Photo/File Photo
Protesters gather in front of the Office of the Hungarian President in Budapest, Hungary, on April 15. The protests erupt after the parliament passes legislation restricting the right to assembly, banning Pride Marches. (Photo by Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Hungary’s parliament approved laws in March and constitutional changes in April that ban LGBTQ+ public gatherings and authorize facial recognition to identify participants.
  • At least 70 members of the European Parliament from six political groups plan to attend the June 28 Pride march in Budapest despite the government’s prohibition.
  • Diplomats from 20 EU member states signed a statement condemning Hungary’s new measures and calling on the European Commission to invoke its rule-of-law toolbox if the laws remain unchanged.
  • Five rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Budapest Pride, lodged a legal challenge on May 30 aiming to overturn the legislation that underpins police bans on LGBTQ+ assemblies.
  • EU ministers are evaluating potential sanctions against Hungary for violating Article 2 of the EU treaty, which enshrines human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights.