Hungarian parliament prepares to pass Russian-style LGBTQI bill

After passing through the legislative committee on Thursday, Hungary’s parliament is set to debate on Monday (14 June) legislation that would lump together sexual minorities and paedophiles ahead of a vote the following day.

The amendments would ban the “portrayal and promotion of gender identity different from sex assigned at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality” in schools and in public service advertisements for persons under 18.

Some NGOs would also be excluded from sex education, and only registered organisations and speakers would be allowed to give such lectures in schools.

The amendments targeting the LGBTQI community are to be voted on together with a bill increasing penalties for paedophilia and sexual abuse of children.

Several civil society groups, in a joint open letter, urge MPs not to vote for this “Russian-style attack on freedom of speech and children’s rights”.

“This new amendment – which eerily mimics the Russian propaganda law – would further poison public opinion,” the NGOs wrote.

“The Hungarian government frequently vetoes the European Union’s declarations against the totalitarian regimes of China and Russia, while copying their anti-democratic ways, which goes against those European values that most Hungarian citizens consider important. Now, further mimicking China and Russia, the government would turn on its own citizens,” they added.

Many of the signatory organisations are also organising a protest for Monday evening in front of the parliament building. (Vlagyiszlav Makszimov | EURACTIV.com with Telex)