Ireland has accused Hungary of violating core European Union values by passing laws targeting LGBTQ+ people, amid growing tensions between Budapest and most member states.
In March, Hungarian lawmakers approved a law that would create a legal basis for banning Pride marches in the country and allow police to use facial recognition technology to identify participants in the events. In April, they also approved changes to the constitution that would make Hungary recognizing only two genders: male and female.
“We are extremely concerned about these developments, which run counter to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights,” Ireland and 16 other EU countries said in a joint statement.
They called on Hungary to reconsider its measures and asked the European Commission to fully exercise its powers if Budapest failed to act. The Commission has the right to take legal action against member states if it considers them to be in breach of EU law.
The statement was signed by Ireland, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The appeal was made ahead of a hearing on Tuesday as part of a lengthy process in which EU ministers are examining concerns that Hungary could breach the union's core values.
The process could theoretically lead to Hungary being stripped of its voting rights on EU matters. However, diplomats say there is not enough support among the bloc's 27 member states for such a move.
Hungarian Minister for European Union Affairs Janos Bóka, who arrived at the meeting, said: “In Hungary, there is no concept of a ban on holding a pride parade.”
“I hope that after these discussions, my colleagues sitting around the table will come out with a more detailed opinion on Hungarian legislation,” he added.
However, activists argue that these measures effectively amount to a ban.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that this year's Pride organisers “should not even bother”, while his chief of staff Gergely Gulyas added that Hungary “should not allow Pride to take place in the centre of Budapest”.
Orban, in power since 2010, has repeatedly clashed with the EU and its members over democratic standards, minority rights and foreign policy.
Critics accuse Orban of undermining the rule of law, but the Hungarian government denies this.
Ireland's Viktor Orban slams PM over Hungarian com… Read more
Orban's ruling Fidesz party argues that the Pride march could be considered harmful to children and that their protection is more important than the right to assemble.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
