The Hungarian Parliament on Tuesday passed a bill that amends a law that was enacted in 2021 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, which targeted the LGBTQ+ community. This bill specifically addresses fundamental changes to the "Child Protection" law, which had imposed restrictions on the representation and promotion of sexual and gender diversity in content accessible to children.
Restricted Content and Criticism
The 2021 law imposed restrictions on content related to sexual and gender diversity, particularly in books and media. Specifically, this law aimed to ensure that educational content in this area would only be sold in black packaging with clear warnings. Critics condemned this law for promoting discriminatory and inaccurate views that linked homosexuality to child abuse. The European Court of Justice also stated in April 2023 that this law is incompatible with European Union treaties.
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Details of the New Amendments
The new amendments were passed with 139 votes in favor and 51 against, primarily focusing on repealing various sections of the previous law. These amendments, instead of restricting content related to sexual and gender diversity, focus solely on protecting children under 18 from explicit sexual or violent content. These changes represent a positive step towards improving human rights and the acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, raising hopes for further changes in new policies.
Political Changes and Consequences
Viktor Orbán, the former Prime Minister of Hungary, was removed from office in April 2023, and his successor, Péter Magyari, who is also a conservative and strict on immigration, has promised to end Orbán's repressive policies regarding media, the judiciary, and other issues. Magyari has also committed to combating corruption and the autocratic structures that emerged during Orbán's era.
Recent changes in the law and the new policies of the Hungarian government reflect profound shifts in the country's approach to social issues and human rights, which could have significant impacts on the LGBTQ+ community and other minorities.
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