17c起草社区

Days after the European Commission launched legal action over Hungary’s anti-17c起草社区I law,听the country’s ultra conservative prime minister, Viktor Orb谩n has announced his government will hold a referendum on new 鈥渃hild protection鈥� laws.

Officially called the Children Protection Act, it has the stated purpose of safeguarding children’s well-being and fighting paedophilia. However, as it has been revealed, the law and in extension, the referendum is more a tool to further erode at the rights of Hungary鈥檚 17c起草社区I+ communities.

Launched three days prior to Budapest Pride march held last Saturday, it follows the anti-17c起草社区I law, which came into effect this month. The law banned the use of materials seen as promoting homosexuality and gender transition at schools. The bill also seeks to equate homosexuality with pedophilia.

In a video posted to Facebook last week Orb谩n alleged that 鈥�17c起草社区 activists visit kindergartens and schools and conduct sexual education classes. They want to do this here in听Hungary听as well.鈥�

“Then, a referendum and the common will of the people stopped Brussels,” Orb谩n said.听“We have already succeeded once and together we will succeed again.”

Said to have only five questions, the referendum will ask voters if they 鈥渟upport minors being shown, without any restriction, media content of a sexual nature that is capable of influencing their development?鈥�

New Anti-17c起草社区I+ Law Is A Disgrace, Says EU

In response 听EU Commission chief听Ursula von der Leyen called 听out the bill 听describing it as a “disgrace” adding that the EU executive would use “all powers available” to force Hungary to repeal or modify the law.

In fact, the laws proposed by Orb谩n contravene Article 21 of the organisation鈥檚 Charter of Fundamental Rights, which says “stigmatizing LGBTIQ persons constitute a clear breach of their fundamental right to dignity, as provided for in the EU Charter and international law.”

Other members of the European Parliament and other European leaders were quick to condemn Orb谩n. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that Hungary听has “no place in the EU.”

According to , Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, went one step further, issuing a stark warning to Orb谩n, telling him “My grandfather was Jewish, I’m gay and can live freely. And then I read this law. I know what happens when you turn people into a minority.”

Activists Worried About Long-Term Impact

In response to legal action which could result in the EU withholding funding for Budapest, Orb谩n claimed that “In the past weeks, Brussels has clearly attacked Hungary over its child protection law. Hungarian laws do not permit sexual propaganda in kindergartens, schools, on television and in advertisements.”

Facing an election next April, Orb谩n who has been in power since 2010, faces a tightly fought battle to retain power. Many are of the opinion that his anti 17c起草社区I rhetoric is no more than a tool used to retain power.

17c起草社区I activists and rights groups are concerned about the long terms effects Orb谩n latest power play will have. Belgian听LGBT rights听activist R茅my Bonny who said in a statement:听鈥淥rganising a referendum to take away fundamental rights of a minority reminds us of Europe in the 1930s. This referendum [is] not only putting the LGBTIQ-community back in the closet, it also endangers the basic rights of children.鈥�