EU countries set to express concern about Hungary legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, draft shows

Audio By Carbonatix

Enlarge

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -More than a dozen European countries are expected to issue a declaration saying they are “deeply concerned” about Hungarian legislation targeting LGBTQ+ people, according to a draft seen by Reuters on Monday.

Hungary’s parliament passed legislation in March to ban the annual Pride march there and allow police to use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. It also approved changes in April which enshrine in the constitution that Hungary recognises only two sexes, male and female.

“We are highly alarmed by these developments which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights,” the signatories, which include countries such as the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden, wrote.

A Hungarian spokesperson did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The declaration comes ahead of a regular hearing scheduled for Tuesday where European Union ministers will discuss the risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the bloc’s values.

The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has repeatedly clashed with the EU and its member countries over democratic standards, minority rights and foreign policy.

Critics have accused Orban of undermining rule of law principles, a charge the Hungarian government has rejected.

The ruling Fidesz party has said that the Pride march could be considered as harmful to children and protecting them would supersede the right to assemble.

In the draft declaration, signatories called on Hungary to revise the measures.

They also asked the European Commission “to expeditiously make full use of the rule of law toolbox at its disposal in case these measures are not revised accordingly”.

(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Hugh Lawson)