Hungary PM plans to ban ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday introduced legislative amendments seeking to ban the “promotion” of homosexuality and sex changes. 

The move was swiftly condemned by Amnesty International, Budapest Pride, and other three right-wing groups who compared the Fidesz party proposals to a similar law in Russia which punished acts of homosexual “propaganda” aimed at young people.

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According to the 11-page document by AFP, if the Hungarian move becomes law then it would effectively ban educational programs and publicity of LGBTQ groups. 

In 2019, Coca-Cola advertisements relating to a popular music festival promoting gay acceptance upset the ruling party and would be banned under the new rules as well as the books dramatizing homosexuality. NGOs said in a statement if the legislation is passed the freedom of expression and rights of children would be “severely restricted,” and accused Hungary of copying dictatorial models which run counter to European values.

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The new amendments are included in a slew of legislative measures targeting paedophilia. The Hungarian parliament adopted a package of measures enshrining the traditional family, effectively banning adoption by the same-sex couple last December.