S&Ds stand with LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary
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We stand with the people of Hungary whose rights are being violated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – this is the message from the Socialists and Democrats ahead of a debate in the European Parliament today.
The debate comes after the Fidesz leader last month banned the upcoming Budapest Pride and all prides in the future, introduced draconian surveillance powers to target protesters, and put forward legislation that could be used to suppress political opponents. The S&Ds condemn these further steps that represent another attack on fundamental rights and a further deterioration of rule of law in Orbán’s self-described ‘illiberal democracy’ in Hungary.
Klára Dobrev, head of the Hungarian S&D delegation, said:
“No one should be deprived of their fundamental democratic rights because of their gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics or sexual orientation. We cannot remain silent when Fidesz does this to Hungarians, including the people of Budapest.
“At this moment, there can be no room for tactics or side conversations. Everyone in the European Parliament should send a clear message: we support the democratic and human rights of the LGBTIQ+ community and we stand with all people whose rights are threatened by Orbán. Not only do we stand against his policies, we reject everything he stands for. Hungary needs to take a different path.”
Marc Angel, S&D MEP, EP Quaestor and Co-Chair of the Intergroup on LGBTIQ+, said:
“I want to send a message to Hungary’s LGBTIQ+ community: you are not alone. When you are under pressure from the government, we will always support you.
“Banning Pride is a deliberately provocative and shocking move. It is yet another dangerous step towards autocracy in Hungary and it is direct discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people. Under false pretences, freedom of assembly is blatantly attacked, and the LGBTIQ+ community is cynically held hostage as part of Viktor Orbán’s power struggles."
The Socialists and Democrats have consistently spoken out to support democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.
The S&Ds also sound the alarm over plans by the Hungarian Government to give authorities the right to use digital facial recognition tools to target citizens. Under the European Parliament’s flagship AI Act, it is forbidden to use biometric cameras to identify protestors, and the S&Ds condemn this latest step towards Hungary’s illiberal state which began when Orbán returned as Prime Minister.
Last week, at the S&D Group meeting in Brussels, Belgium, the S&D President, Vice-Presidents and S&D members took part in a joint photo action in solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary. S&D President García has announced that she will be in Budapest for this year’s Pride demonstration.