A record number of people are expected to march in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, to protest a ban that has regressed LGBTQ rights in the European Union without precedent.
Following the amendments to the constitution and laws earlier this year that the annual celebration would not be allowed to take place, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling coalition on Saturday brought about the event. The Orban government has consistently argued that the legislation upholds traditional family principles and safeguards children.
While President Donald Trump’s anti-diversity campaign has sparked protests at home and the condemnation of the EU and rights organizations, the prime minister’s own initiatives have been condemned.
The nationalist leader said on Friday that those who participated in the 30th Pride march should be aware of “legal consequences” even though police would not “break up” it.
More than 35, 000 people are scheduled to march near Budapest’s city hall at 2 p.m. (12:00 GMT), an hour before the march begins, despite the threat of a fine.
In defiance of the ban, ministers from a number of EU nations and dozens of prominent politicians are expected to show up, which is reminiscent of what happened in Moscow in 2006 and Istanbul in 2015.
If this law isn’t overturned, Eastern Europe could face a wave of similar measures, according to Pride organizer Viktoria Radvanyi.
Ursula von der Leyen, EU chief, requested that the ban be lifted earlier this week.
In addition, thirty-three nations have voiced their support for the march.
Attendees can face fines of up to 500 euros ($580), while parade organisers face a year in prison. Authorities can now identify those who participate in facial recognition thanks to the most recent legal changes.
Along the march’s planned route, newly installed cameras have appeared on lamp posts.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony has argued that no protesters will face reprisals because the march, which was co-hosted by the city hall this time, is a municipal event and doesn’t need police approval.
During a briefing with EU equalities commissioner Hadja Lahbib, who is in town to attend the event, Karacsony stated, “The police have only one task tomorrow, and it is a serious one: to make sure the safety of Hungarian and European citizens attending.”
Along the procession’s intended route, far-right organizations have made numerous counterprotest announcements.
Due to the police ban, Justice Minister Bence Tuzson this week issued a letter to EU embassies warning diplomats and staff against participating.
Numerous EU countries have made travel advisories available to citizens to warn them about potential fines.
The nation of 9.6 million people has consistently resisted racial discrimination since Orban’s re-election in 2010.
In effect, legal changes have prohibited transgender people from changing their name or gender in official documents, as well as the prohibition of “display and promotion” of homosexuality to minors.
A bill amending the 2021 law to prohibit any gathering that violates its provisions was passed in March by politicians in opposition of the annual Pride march.
A constitutional amendment to strengthen the legal foundations of the ban was also approved by parliament a month later.
Political analyst Daniel Mikecz told the news agency AFP that Orban is using a tried-and-true recipe to create a conflict ahead of the election in the upcoming year. Orban, he continued, was “polarizing society.”
According to polls conducted by voters, Orban’s Fidesz party has been losing ground to the opposition.
Source: Aljazeera
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