Budapest Pride parade banned: protests against Orban government!

Budapest Pride parade banned: protests against Orban government!

Hungarian police on Thursday banned the “Pride Parade” in Budapest, which was scheduled for June 28th. This ban was announced just three days after the city administration announced its intention to take over the organization of the parade. Mayor Gergely Karacsony has said he will oppose the ban, arguing it is a “city event” that does not require official permission. The Hungarian government under Viktor Orban has been restricting the rights of the LGBTQ community for years, which has led to a heated political climate in the country.

The ban on the Pride parade follows a series of new legal regulations that also affect freedom of assembly and the right to expression. In March, the Hungarian parliament passed an amendment to the law aimed at banning the annual Pride parade. There are increasing protests against this policy, with thousands of participants demonstrating against Viktor Orbán's government. These protests are supported by a law that is seen as discriminatory and has been compared to restrictions in Russia.

Political reactions and protests

They follow a clear line: there are repeated demonstrations against the government's decision. Many of the participants consciously contrast with the rainbow flag by choosing gray clothing. A new law passed by the Hungarian parliament imposes heavy fines on organizers and participants in pride parades. Critics warn that the planned constitutional changes will further restrict freedom of assembly, particularly events that “promote homosexuality and gender changes among minors.” This affects the entire LGBTQ community in Hungary as well as the country's international obligations.

In addition, authorities should be given permission to use facial recognition software to identify participants in Pride events. This regulation leads to considerable resentment among the population. Pressure from the EU on Hungary is growing as 20 member states, including Germany, have called on the EU Commission to take decisive action against the Hungarian government.

International concern

In a joint statement, the signatory countries expressed their “deepest concern” about the upcoming measures. In particular, the threat of fines for organizers and the possible introduction of facial recognition are fueling fears about freedom of expression and data protection. The EU is calling on Hungary to revise the regulations. Otherwise, the Commission could activate “all instruments of the rule of law mechanism” to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community and hold the Hungarian government accountable.

Although Hungary's European Minister Janos Boka assures that there is no ban on Pride events, the reality in the country is different for many LGBTQ activists. The Fidesz government has a two-thirds majority in parliament, which makes the adoption of the discriminatory laws very likely. The possibility that the federal government will withdraw Hungary's voting rights at EU level also hovers over these discussions.

The debate about the rights of the LGBTQ community and freedom of assembly in Hungary will continue. Pride parade organizers and various LGBTQ groups have already announced that they will continue to fight for their rights, even if they bring harm in the current political landscape.