Hungary : Viktor Orbán’s conservative government bans Pride marches
12 May 2025
Countries
Political trend
Rights at stake and state’s obligations
The actor of the backlash
On March 18, Viktor Orbán's government passed a law prohibiting the Pride march. The legislation was adopted under an accelerated procedure without any public consultation. The government justified its decision by linking it to a controversial 2021 law, which banned exposing minors to any depiction of “deviation from birth-assigned gender identity, gender transition, or homosexuality.” The new law also amends the right of assembly, making it a criminal offense to organize events that present or promote homosexuality to individuals under the age of 18.
As a result, participants and organizers of Pride marches now face the risk of fines. Additionally, authorities may employ facial recognition software to identify individuals attending such events.
Through this legislation, Viktor Orbán is instrumentalizing the law to impose the government’s ultra-conservative vision on Hungarian society. With full control over public media, the government propagates narratives that dangerously conflate homosexuality with pedophilia.
The European Commission has condemned this law, stating that it violates fundamental rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, and is inconsistent with the AI Act and EU privacy regulations. Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, affirmed that "the right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental freedom that must be protected throughout the European Union." Despite the EU’s reaction, Hungary has not altered its stance.
Across Europe, far-right movements are gaining ground, threatening fundamental freedoms. The right to peaceful assembly is increasingly under attack, as public authorities obstruct, discourage, or repress such demonstrations.