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Hungary’s measures ‘infringe LGBTIQ+ rights’

Ireland is among 17 EU countries to have issued a statement about recent changes in Hungary’s law and constitution that the member states say infringe the fundamental rights of LGBTIQ+ persons.

“Under the pretext of child protection, these legislative amendments allow fines to be imposed on participants and organisers of events, such as the annual Pride celebrations,” the statement said.

The member states added that the amendments also allowed for facial-recognition software to be used at such events, and for banning such events.

The 17 expressed concerned about the implications of these measures on freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy.

‘Highly alarmed’

“We are highly alarmed by these developments, which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality, and respect for human rights, as laid down in article 2 of the Treaty on European Union,” they continued.

The statement called on Hungary to revise the measures, to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all its citizens are respected and protected.

“We share the concern expressed by the European Commission in this regard and call on the commission to expeditiously make full use of the rule-of-law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly,” the member states concluded.