Hungary has approved sweeping new measures that give the government the power to ban public events linked to the LGBTQ+ community, triggering widespread concern from human rights advocates and sparking fears of broader civil liberty crackdowns.
The newly passed constitutional amendment allows authorities to prevent gatherings—including Budapest Pride—on grounds related to what the government defines as the “protection of children” and traditional values. The legislation also introduces surveillance tools, such as facial recognition technology, to identify attendees of prohibited events.
The law further redefines gender strictly as male or female and positions children’s moral development as a state priority, allowing it to override other rights such as freedom of assembly and expression.
Opponents argue the measures mark a dramatic escalation in Hungary’s push against LGBTQ+ visibility in public life. Organizers of Budapest Pride say they still plan to move forward with this year’s event, despite potential legal risks.
The decision has sparked outrage among activists and political observers, who warn it may set a precedent for further restrictions on minority rights and political dissent within the country.