Hungary’s parliament has passed a constitutional amendment empowering the government to ban public LGBTQ+ events, including Budapest Pride.
The amendment, backed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party, passed with 140 votes in favor and 21 against. It prioritises children’s “moral development” over assembly rights and codifies existing laws prohibiting LGBTQ+ content for minors.
Authorities can now use facial recognition to identify participants at banned events, with violators facing fines up to 200,000 forints ($546).
The amendment also mandates recognition of only two sexes, disregarding transgender and intersex identities.
Critics, including human rights groups and international diplomats, condemn the move as discriminatory and authoritarian.
Protests erupted nationwide, with opposition groups accusing the government of dismantling democratic freedoms.
