Hungary’s Parliament Passes Law Banning Pride

19.03.2025

Photo of Budapest Pride march

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In an attack on freedom of assembly, Hungary’s Parliament has passed a controversial law criminalising Pride marches and allowing the use of facial recognition technology to target participants.

In a deeply troubling development, Hungary’s Parliament has passed a law banning Pride marches across the country. The law was fast-tracked through Parliament in just one day, with no consultation or debate, marking a significant erosion of freedom of assembly and human rights in Hungary.

The newly passed legislation expands Hungary’s already controversial “child protection” law, which prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors. This law reinforces harmful and outdated stereotypes about LGBTI individuals and their rights.It takes this one step further by criminalising Pride events, both for organisers and participants, while also granting authorities the power to use facial recognition technology to track, identify, and fine attendees. This measure has been condemned as a significant infringement on privacy and personal freedoms.

According to ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director, Chaber: “This new law is more than just a ban on a single event. It represents an assault on the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and protest, and an attempt to silence the LGBTI community in Hungary. It is an effort to erase LGBTI people from public life and restrict their ability to peacefully protest. More restrictions on the rights of other people will follow.”

The government’s actions have sparked widespread protests. Yesterday, thousands gathered outside Parliament, chanting anti-government slogans. The organisers of Budapest Pride also remain defiant. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Budapest Pride march, and they are committed to marching on June 28, 2025.

“The international community must rally behind the people of Hungary, demanding the protection of their right to peacefully assemble and protest,” Chaber added. “As Pride marches continue to grow and oppose authoritarianism worldwide, the fight for LGBTI rights becomes even more vital in the broader struggle for democracy and human dignity.”

Source

Photo by Budapest Pride

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