Hungary Enacts Ban on Pride Events, Citing Controversial Child Protection Law

The new law imposes fines and surveillance measures, drawing protests in Budapest and international condemnation for restricting LGBTQ+ rights.

Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok signed the law banning Pride events after a 136-27 parliamentary vote, citing the 2021 'child protection' legislation as justification.
The law allows authorities to fine organizers and participants and use facial recognition technology to identify attendees.
Protests erupted in Budapest, with demonstrators blocking Margaret Bridge and opposition lawmakers setting off rainbow-colored smoke bombs in parliament.
The European Union and human rights organizations have condemned the law, calling it a violation of freedom of assembly and LGBTQ+ rights.
Budapest Pride organizers have announced plans to proceed with their Pride march on June 28 despite the ban.