Hungary enacts amendment to prohibit LGBTQ+ gatherings and define gender

Hungarian lawmakers have approved a constitutional amendment that advocates say signifies a drastic increase in governmental repression and human rights violations. Supported by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his ruling Fidesz party, the amendment passed on Monday with 140 votes in favor and 21 against.

According to The Guardian, this legislation formalizes the government’s recent prohibition of Pride events, enabling authorities to utilize facial recognition technology to identify participants and impose potential fines. The amendment asserts an official recognition of only two sexes, thereby creating a constitutional foundation to dismiss various gender identities in Hungary.

In light of Orbán’s repeated allegations of foreign interference in national affairs, the amendment also grants the government the authority to temporarily revoke Hungarian citizenship for dual nationals considered threats to national security or sovereignty. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights organization, criticized the amendment as an attempt to "legislate fear." They claim it escalates efforts to suppress dissent and erode human rights protections.

The opposition Momentum party drew parallels between these measures and those in Russia, where similar restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights have been enacted. Orbán has styled himself as a defender of traditional family values, enacting policies that include barring same-sex couples from adoption and limiting the discussion of LGBTQ+ issues in education.

Prior to the vote, Momentum called for public protests aimed at obstructing the parliamentary session, urging citizens to resist what they described as a path toward oppression similar to that of Putin’s regime. On the day of the vote, protesters attempted to block entrances to the parliament’s parking garage, leading to confrontations with police.

The constitutional amendment follows a law passed nearly a month prior that banned public gatherings by LGBTQ+ communities. Since then, thousands have protested in the streets, asserting their beliefs with chants in support of democracy and the right to assemble.

Independent lawmaker Ákos Hadházy expressed alarm at the government's actions, asserting that they are systematically dismantling democracy. He insisted that immediate action is necessary to prevent further erosion of rights.

While the government justifies these actions by claiming to protect children from "sexual propaganda," critics argue that it is a tactic to mobilize conservative support ahead of upcoming elections, as Orbán faces unprecedented opposition from Péter Magyar, a former ally.

As news of the Pride event ban emerged last month, 22 European embassies in Hungary released a statement expressing deep concern over potential infringements on the rights to peaceful assembly and expression. The EU’s equality commissioner affirmed the importance of allowing individuals to live freely and assemble peacefully across member states.

Organizers of Budapest Pride, which typically draws tens of thousands, remain resolute in their determination to hold this year’s march on June 28, denouncing the government's efforts as fascistic.

This marks the 15th alteration to Hungary’s constitution since it was restructured by the Fidesz-KDNP coalition in 2011. The amendment aims to bolster Orbán’s narrative of foreign actors seeking to manipulate Hungarian politics.

Rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, have urged the European Commission to take action against Hungary’s government, arguing that the new law violates EU regulations and contributes to the systemic oppression of LGBTQ+ individuals and their advocates. They emphasized the amendment's broader implications for fundamental rights, extending beyond LGBTQ+ issues and serving as a means of perpetuating fear among dissenters in Hungary.