The European Commission will take Hungary to the EU’s Court of Justice on Friday because of the Hungarian anti-LGBT law, which discriminates against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
A Hungarian law from June 2021 restricted freedom of expression of the LGBTIQ+ community as well as links to media that portray gay, lesbian or trans people in the name of supposedly protecting children.
Critics say that Hungary’s laws mirror the repressive anti-gay laws in Russia, which claims to fight for ‘family values’ and battle a ‘liberal EU’. The LGBTIQ+ people in Russia face great obstacles towards fundamental rights due to Russia’s ‘gay propaganda law’ from 2013, which has increased social hostility.
As early as July 2021, the Commission started infringement proceedings against Hungary, but as Hungary refused to take action, the Commission has had no choice but to take the case to the EU Court.
In its decision, the Commission stresses that protecting children is key for the EU and its member states, and that Hungarian law “contains provisions which are not justified” and violate EU law.