Hungarian lawmakers have voted through a highly contentious constitutional amendment, sparking widespread criticism from human rights groups and EU officials. The amendment, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his right-wing populist party Fidesz, restricts the recognition of two sexes and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees at Pride events, potentially fining them.
The government claims the amendment prioritizes children’s physical and mental development but critics argue it is a means of “legislating fear” and suppressing dissent. The amendment also enables the suspension of Hungarian citizenship for up to 10 years for dual nationals deemed to pose a threat to public order or security.
Rights groups, including the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Amnesty International, have urged the European Commission to launch a procedure against Hungary’s government, arguing that the changes breach EU law. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in weekly protests, blocking bridges and major thoroughfares with chants of “democracy” and “assembly is a fundamental right”.
The opposition party Momentum has described the amendment as an escalation in Orbán’s efforts to weaken human rights protection and consolidate his grip on power. EU officials have expressed concern over the legislation, including 22 European embassies that issued a joint statement condemning it.
As news of the Pride ban broke last month, 22 European embassies and the EU’s equality commissioner Hadja Lahbib weighed in, saying they were deeply concerned about the restrictions on peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The organisers of Budapest Pride have vowed to proceed with this year’s march despite the government’s efforts to restrict their event.
The amendment is the 15th to Hungary’s constitution since it was unilaterally authored and approved by the Fidesz-KDNP coalition in 2011, reinforcing Orbán’s claims of foreign interference in the country’s politics. The European Commission has yet to comment on whether they will take further action against Hungary over the amendment.
The opposition party’s blockade attempt was met with physical violence from police, with protesters using zip ties to bind themselves together. Ákos Hadházy, an independent lawmaker who campaigns alongside Momentum, described the government as “dismantling democracy brick by brick”, urging Hungarians to act fast to stop the erosion of their rights.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/14/hungary-poised-to-adopt-constitutional-amendment-to-ban-lgbtq-gatherings