Homosexuality law in Hungary called “shame” by European Commission

Published on : 06/23/2021 – 12:40

The Hungarian law prohibiting the “promotion” of homosexuality among minors is “a shame” and a text which goes against “the fundamental values ​​of the EU”, estimated, Wednesday, June 23, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Brussels will send a letter to Budapest to express its “concerns” at the legal level before the entry into force of a law which “discriminates against people on the basis of their sexual orientation”, the head of the European executive.

A declaration currently supported by 15 Member States called on the Commission to act, after the adoption of this text on 15 June in Budapest.

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The law, at the initiative of the sovereignist party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, provides that “pornography and content that represents sexuality or promotes the deviation of gender identity, sex change and homosexuality must not be accessible to people under the age of 18 “.

“This text goes against all the fundamental values ​​of the EU: human dignity, equality and fundamental human rights. We will not compromise on these principles”, warned Ursula von der Leyen.

“I firmly believe in a European Union where you can be yourself and free to love whoever you want. (…) I will use all the powers of the Commission to guarantee the rights of all EU citizens , wherever they live, ”she added.

The 15 member states say they are “deeply concerned” by provisions “discriminating against LGBTQI people and violating the right to freedom of expression under the pretext of protecting children,” in this statement released on Tuesday.

Uncertainties around the law’s compliance with European law

Initiated by Belgium, it has already been signed by the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Sweden , as well as the three Baltic States.

Portugal also supported this approach, while saying that it could not formally endorse it because of the duty of neutrality imposed on it by its rotating EU presidency.

“We are examining the law and seeing if and how it infringes European law,” Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova said on Tuesday.

The Commission has the power to initiate infringement proceedings for violation of EU law against a country, which may lead to a referral to the European Court of Justice.

With AFP