EU Nations Prepare to Condemn Hungary's LGBTQ Policies
A coalition of European Union countries plans to issue a declaration criticizing Hungary's recent legislation impacting LGBTQ rights and freedoms.
A coalition of European Union member states, spearheaded by the Netherlands, is set to sign a declaration urging Hungary to reverse its recent legislative measures impacting the LGBTQ community.
The declaration addresses Hungary's March enactment of a law that effectively bans Pride marches and permits police to utilize facial recognition technology to identify parade participants.
This legislation forms part of a broader trend in Hungary toward tightening restrictions on LGBTQ rights.
According to a draft of the declaration, which was obtained by various reports, the signatories express concern regarding the implications of these measures on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy.
They emphasize that the protection of LGBTQ individuals is essential to being part of the European Union's community of values.
This declaration is expected to be released ahead of an upcoming meeting of EU ministers, where discussions will also continue regarding Hungary's ongoing breaches of EU democratic values, triggered by a hearing initiated in 2018. As of Monday, 14 EU countries had committed to co-signing the declaration.
Expected signatories include nations from the Benelux region as well as Nordic countries.
In related developments, the office of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly advised its commissioners against attending the Budapest Pride event scheduled for next month.
Subsequently, a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) criticized this maneuver by the Commission.
The declaration underscores a shared concern among the signatory nations regarding Hungary's legislation, urging the European Commission to utilize its 'rule of law toolbox' should Hungary maintain its current course of action.
On the domestic front, significant controversy surrounds Hungary's proposed 'transparency law,' which has been dubbed a 'gag law' by critics.
The legislation was recently approved by the Justice Committee of the Hungarian parliament, with amendments that retroactively strip certain organizations of their ability to receive 1% tax donations, raising alarms about its compliance with both EU and Hungarian legal standards.
Opposition voices have voiced significant concerns over these developments, arguing that the law undermines civil society and press freedoms in Hungary.
European sector officials have echoed calls for the Budapest government to withdraw the controversial transparency law, underscoring a critical stance towards Hungary's ongoing trajectory regarding human rights and civil liberties.
Amid these discussions, the European Commission reaffirmed its position, indicating a forthcoming strategy aimed at enhancing protections for LGBTQ rights across member states.
The declaration addresses Hungary's March enactment of a law that effectively bans Pride marches and permits police to utilize facial recognition technology to identify parade participants.
This legislation forms part of a broader trend in Hungary toward tightening restrictions on LGBTQ rights.
According to a draft of the declaration, which was obtained by various reports, the signatories express concern regarding the implications of these measures on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy.
They emphasize that the protection of LGBTQ individuals is essential to being part of the European Union's community of values.
This declaration is expected to be released ahead of an upcoming meeting of EU ministers, where discussions will also continue regarding Hungary's ongoing breaches of EU democratic values, triggered by a hearing initiated in 2018. As of Monday, 14 EU countries had committed to co-signing the declaration.
Expected signatories include nations from the Benelux region as well as Nordic countries.
In related developments, the office of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly advised its commissioners against attending the Budapest Pride event scheduled for next month.
Subsequently, a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) criticized this maneuver by the Commission.
The declaration underscores a shared concern among the signatory nations regarding Hungary's legislation, urging the European Commission to utilize its 'rule of law toolbox' should Hungary maintain its current course of action.
On the domestic front, significant controversy surrounds Hungary's proposed 'transparency law,' which has been dubbed a 'gag law' by critics.
The legislation was recently approved by the Justice Committee of the Hungarian parliament, with amendments that retroactively strip certain organizations of their ability to receive 1% tax donations, raising alarms about its compliance with both EU and Hungarian legal standards.
Opposition voices have voiced significant concerns over these developments, arguing that the law undermines civil society and press freedoms in Hungary.
European sector officials have echoed calls for the Budapest government to withdraw the controversial transparency law, underscoring a critical stance towards Hungary's ongoing trajectory regarding human rights and civil liberties.
Amid these discussions, the European Commission reaffirmed its position, indicating a forthcoming strategy aimed at enhancing protections for LGBTQ rights across member states.
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