On 14 April, the Hungarian Parliament passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, another step towards authoritarianism by Viktor Orbán’s populist government.
The amendment codifies the government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees and potentially fine them.
Representatives and supporters of ALDE Party member Momentum Mozgalom in Hungary blockaded the Parliament’s entrance in Budapest to stop the vote and prevent Orbán changing the Hungarian Constitution for the 15th time.
Although the amendment was eventually passed, Momentum members held a demonstration on Kossuth Square and reaffirmed they will not back down on fundamental freedoms.
ALDE Party Vice-President Eva Kjer Hansen (Venstre, DK) joined Momentum members and other European liberals outside the Parliament’s building and stood in solidarity with the protestors in Budapest.
“This law is an attack targeting Pride parades and LGBTIQ people and it constitutes a direct assault on the fundamental right to peaceful assembly, which is an essential pillar of any democracy. This path leads only to authoritarianism, and we will not sit idly by,” said ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP and Vice-President Lucia Plaváková.
Photo: Momentum Mozgalom