Laws adopted earlier in Hungary to ban so-called LGBT propaganda for minors contradict EU norms and should be cancelled. Such a decision was made by the Court of Justice of the European Union on 21 April, Politico reported.
The court said in a statement that the Hungarian legislation banning the “promotion” of LGBT and transgender transition themes in media accessible to children was a “particularly serious violation of several fundamental freedoms.” The case was initiated by the European Commission, which challenged the Hungarian legislation. Fifteen EU member states also joined the lawsuit.
Laws restricting LGBT rights were passed in Hungary in 2021 at the initiative of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling party. The legislation was further tightened last year, bringing LGBT Pride events, among others, under the ban. However, the Pride march in Budapest took place without the approval of the authorities.
Viktor Orban lost the election on 12 April and will resign as prime minister, the new head of government will be the leader of the opposition party “Tisa” Peter Magyar. He himself has previously promised to review the legislation, noting that the ban on Pride marches contradicts the right to freedom of assembly and that discrimination against minorities is unacceptable.
The court’s ruling means that the European Commission can now demand that Hungary revise the legislation under threat of financial sanctions, but apparently this will not be necessary and the new Hungarian authorities will voluntarily comply with the court’s decision.
Hungary must repeal laws on ‘LGBT propaganda’ – EU Court of Justice