Hungary Bans Pride Events and Implements Facial Recognition for Attendees
The Hungarian Parliament has passed legislation banning Pride events nationwide, allowing authorities to utilize facial recognition technology to identify participants and impose fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (approximately $530). The vote, held on March 18, 2025, resulted in 136 in favor and 27 against, marking a stark escalation in the government's campaign against the LGBTQ+ community.
Amnesty International condemned the law, labeling it a "full-frontal attack" on LGBTQ+ rights and claiming it exploits stereotypes about child protection to further discrimination. "This is not child protection, this is fascism," the organizers of Budapest Pride stated, asserting that the law aims to silence dissent against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration. They plan to proceed with their 30th anniversary event despite the new restrictions.
Critics, like Tamás Dombos from Háttér Society, view the law as a diversion from pressing issues like inflation and economic instability. Observers noted that targeting minorities often boosts support among far-right voters, raising fears about declining civil liberties in Hungary.
Hungary