Strutting in Rainbow Feathers is a Criminal Deed in Orban's Hungary, EU Representatives Risk Arrest for Pushing "Pride" Agenda
Hungary Warns EU Officals of Imprisonment for Promoting "Pride" Events
In a chilling reminder of the political climate in Hungary, the national government has cautioned EU diplomats against joining the Pride Parade in Budapest, in spite of the law enforcement's prohibition of the event. The Hungarian Justice Minister, Bence Tuzson, asserted in a letter to foreign ambassadors that the Pride is a "legally outlawed assembly." Taking part in such an event is deemed a "criminal offense."
Tuzson emphasized the necessity for diplomatic missions to educate their staff about the issue, to ensure clarity and prevent unwarranted participation. He threatened potential penalties, including fines reaching up to €500 and a one-year prison sentence for organizers or instigators.
The move comes in response to a public declaration of support by 33 countries' diplomatic and cultural representatives for the event. Remarkably, five of the 27 EU member states - Italy, Croatia, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria - declined to sign the statement.
Budapest Flouts LGBTQ Rights Restrictions
Hungarian authorities banned the Pride Parade in Budapest last Thursday, citing recently enacted legislation. Initially planned for June 28, the march for LGBTQ rights was set to take place in the capital, with the city announcing its intention to take charge of the organization. The city administration aimed to defy the ban.
Hungary's government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has been curbing the rights of the LGBTQ community for years, under the guise of "child protection." To enforce this legislation, Hungarian authorities deploy facial recognition technology to identify organizers and participants, imposing fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (€485) if the charges are unpaid. In contravention to the rightful ban, extremist groups have been given permission to stage public marches on the same day, further illustrating the discriminatory enforcement of the law.
In response to these actions, thousands of protesters in Budapest took to the streets, participating in demonstrations and bridge blockades.
Sources: ntv.de, AFJP/AFP
Related Topics:
- Hungary
- LGBTIQ
- Viktor Orban
- The Commission, in light of the recent events surrounding the banned Pride Parade in Budapest, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the politics of Hungary, specifically focusing on the general-news topic of crime-and-justice.
- The political climate in Hungary, highlighted by the crackdown on LGBTIQ rights and the potential fines and imprisonment for participating in Pride Parades, raises concerns in the realm of EU general-news and crime-and-justice discussions.
