Budapest Pride parade prohibited: Protests against Orban government!

Budapest Pride parade prohibited: Protests against Orban government!

The Hungarian police banned the "Pride Parade" in Budapest on Thursday, which was scheduled for June 28th. This ban was announced just three days after the city administration's announcement, it was announced that they want to take over the organization of the parade. Mayor Gergely Karacony has announced that he would oppose the ban because he argues that it is an "urban event" for which no official approval is necessary. 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 prohibition of the Pride parade follows a number of new legal regulations that also concern the freedom of assembly and the right to express the opinion. In March, the Hungarian Parliament passed a change in the law that aims to prohibit the annual Pride parade. There are increasingly protests against this policy, with thousands of participants who demonstrate against the government of Viktor Orbán. These protests are supported by a law that is considered discriminatory and is compared with the restrictions in Russia.

political reactions and protests

They pursue a clear line: there are always demonstrations against the government's decision. Many of the participants bear conscious contrast to the rainbow flag by choosing gray clothing. A new law, which was adopted by the Hungarian parliament, provides for high fines for organizers and participants in Pride parades. Critics warn that the planned constitutional changes further restrict the freedom of assembly, in particular events that "promote homosexuality and gender changes for minors". This affects the entire LGBTQ community in Hungary and international obligations in the country.

international concern

In a joint explanation, the signatory countries express their "deepest concern" about the upcoming measures. In particular, the impending fines for organizers and a possible introduction of facial recognition fuel the fear of freedom of expression and data protection. The EU asks Hungary to revise the regulations. Otherwise, the Commission could activate "All Instruments of the Rechts State Mechanism" to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community and to hold the Hungarian government into account.

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

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