Protest Against ‘Russia-Style Crackdown’ In Hungary
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Several thousand Hungarians marched against government measures that they fear will lead to a Russia-style crackdown on LGBTQI marches and other protests, as well as critical media and other groups.
The rally began as several human rights organizations said Budapest police halted an alternative event to the annual Pride parade that authorities had “banned.”
Hungary’s European Union Minister János Bóka told EU leaders Tuesday that “there is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban.”
However, Hungary’s rightwing government also made clear it wants to “protect” children against what it views as LGBTQI propaganda and protect “Christian values” and families.
Yet in a statement to the Worthy News Europe Bureau in Budapest, groups Amnesty International Hungary, Háttér Society, Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Rainbow Mission Foundation (Budapest Pride’s foundation), and Hungarian Civil Liberties Union accused Bóka of lying.
They said Budapest police banned an alternative Pride march which was to be held Saturday, June 1, “citing the amendment passed in March that bans demonstrations that display homosexuality or sexual diversity as ‘violating the rights of children.’”
As required by law, “the protest organizers had notified the police of the planned rally on May 24. The reasoning behind the ban was that the demonstration was similar to the ‘previously established Pride schedule and forms of expression,’” the groups said.
TWO GENDERS
“The aim of the demonstration is to speak up against the prevalent trans- and homophobia, to stand up for equal rights for the LGBTQI community, and to draw attention to the fact that the infamous Section 33 outlawed legal gender recognition for trans people five years ago,” the groups added,
Last month, the government used its two-thirds majority in parliament to change the constitution, known as the Fundamental Law in Hungary, to restrict LGBTQI groups from holding public events while recognizing only two genders: “male and female.”
Despite the restrictions, European legislators seek to join the planned but “banned” official Pride march in Budapest on June 28, where protesters face 500 euros ($567) in fines if recognized through special facial recognition systems.
It was not immediately clear if the banned June 1 alternative Pride would go ahead.
Besides concerns about a Pride ban, protesters on Tuesday expressed worries about planned legislation that could ultimately fine and even halt operations of critical non-governmental organizations and independent media funded from abroad if they are seen as a “threat to Hungary’s sovereignty.”
Independent legislator Ákos Hadházy, who has led weekly protests against these developments, warned that the current government “seeks to eliminate public debate” ahead of elections next year. Some smoke bombs were thrown, and slogans were said near the controversial Sovereignty Protection Office in Budapest, with police standing nearby.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, also encourages Hungarians to act as informants of people with double nationalities if they are seen as “a threat to Hungary,” including journalists, Worthy News learned.
Orbán has ruled Hungary since 2010 despite Brussels withholding billions in EU funding over corruption and rule-of-law concerns, charges he denies.
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