The Guardian view on Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws: Europe must stand up for its values | Editorial

ACCORDING to Article 2 of treaty From the European Union, the European Union is based on respecting human dignity in societies where “pluralism, other than discrimination [and] Tolerance prevails.

In the wake of new laws submitted by the government of VikTor Orbán’s Fidesz, Hungary has become the first European Union country legislation to enable the ban on pride. and amendment The country’s constitution now allows the appointment of the General LGBTQ+ events as a threat to children, which expands the scope of previous laws targeting schools. As a result, the organizers and participants in the Budapest Pride on June 28 are risking a fine and harassment if they come to the show.

It is not surprising, precisely, Mr. Urban’s ban was described as a “full attack” on people LGBTQ+. It is also a maneuvering maneuver by the Hungary Prime Minister, aimed at provoking a violent reaction from the liberals at home and abroad. As fidesz Paths In opinion polls before the elections next year, Mr. Urban resorted to the polarized playing book again.

The fact that Mr. Urban may hope for a reaction that does not mean that there should be no one. The prohibition of presenting pride in a European capital will be in a strict violation of the European Union’s law regarding freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. A delegation of legislators in the European Union who visited Hungary last month I mentioned The new law has already created a “very hostile atmosphere” of LGBTQ+ and led to a high violent attack.

In Brussels, the demands of confrontation with Mr. Urban were already growing, partly as a result of his pro -bot blocking throughout the war in Ukraine. Hungary is currently to reject Access to 18 billion euros in European Union funds, due to fears of the rule of law related to issues such as the treatment of thieves and corruption students. But its rogue Prime Minister has greatly led the European Commission a fun dance and showed contempt for its restrictions. 20 member states, including France and Germany, have published a a permit Requesting all possible penalties should be published if the new legislation to combat LGBTQ+is not withdrawn.

The rules of consensus mean that it is unlikely to include the suspension of Hungary’s rights as a European Council voting member – a step that would veto the national populist government in Slovakia. But at a minimum, the council must move quickly to define the government of Mr. Urban as it is clear in a breach of the European Union values ​​and the disposal to close its access to the Brussels funds.

The first Budapest Pride show was shown in 1997. writing In The Guardian last month, the opposition deputy described the event as “the largest frequent human rights demonstration in Hungary.” according to Opinion polls78 % of the city’s population wants to move forward as usual. While the liberal standards of the European Union faces a challenge by the rise of tyranny and intolerance in the West and outside, its leaders must respond strongly to the latest attempt by Mr. Urban and their undermining for its political ends.

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