BRUSSELS – Seventeen European Union countries accused Hungary on Tuesday of contravening fundamental EU values by passing laws that target LGBTQ people, as tensions deepen between Budapest and a majority of member states.
“We are highly alarmed by these developments which run contrary to the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights,” the governments of the 17 countries said in a joint statement.
The Commission can take legal action against member states if it believes they are violating EU law.
But diplomats say there is not sufficient support among the 27 EU member states to take that step.
Orban, who has been in power since 2010, has repeatedly clashed with the EU and its member countries over democratic standards, minority rights and foreign policy.
BRUSSELS—As tensions between Budapest and most EU members increase, 17 EU nations accused Hungary on Tuesday of violating core EU values by enacting laws that discriminate against LGBTQ individuals.
Legislation that permits police to use facial recognition cameras to identify attendees and establishes a legal basis for prohibiting Pride marches in Hungary was passed by the parliament in March. In April, it also authorized constitutional amendments that stipulated Hungary would only recognize male and female sexes.
In a joint statement, the governments of the 17 nations expressed their alarm at these developments, which go against the core principles of equality, freedom, human dignity, and respect for human rights.
They demanded that Hungary amend the measures and that, should Budapest fail to do so, the European Commission exercise all of its authority. If the Commission feels that a member state is breaking EU law, it has the authority to take legal action against them.
Austria, Belgium, Slovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden all supported the statement.
The announcement was made in advance of a hearing on Tuesday in a protracted process wherein EU ministers consider worries that Hungary might violate fundamental EU principles.
The procedure might theoretically result in Hungary losing its ability to vote on EU decisions. Diplomats, however, claim that the 27 EU members do not support that action enough.
“More complex perspective.”.
“There is no such thing in Hungary as a Pride ban,” stated Janos Boka, Hungary’s Minister for European Union Affairs, upon arriving at the meeting.
He expressed his hope that his colleagues at the table would leave these talks with a more sophisticated perspective on Hungarian legislation.
However, activists claim that the actions amount to a de facto prohibition.
This year’s Pride organizers “should not even bother,” according to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, while Hungary “does not have to tolerate Pride marching through downtown Budapest,” according to his chief of staff Gergely Gulyas.
Since assuming office in 2010, Orban has frequently clashed with the EU and its member states over foreign policy, minority rights, and democratic standards.
Orban has been accused by critics of weakening the rule of law, a charge the Hungarian government disputes.
The Pride march may be harmful to children, according to his ruling Fidesz party, which has stated that safeguarding them would take precedence over the right to assemble.
Michael McGrath, the European Commissioner in charge of issues pertaining to democracy, justice, and the rule of law, stated on Tuesday that the situation in Hungary was a cause for grave concern.
“A fundamental right is the freedom of assembly,” he told reporters.
“Children are not at risk.”. Since it poses no threat to anyone and needs to be safeguarded and maintained at all times, the Commission is looking into all of its options,” he stated.
